God wants us to love Him. He does not NEED us to love Him. He is complete in Himself. By his nature He does what He is. He is far greater than overgenerous, overloving, gentle, merciful, kind, humble, powerful......
But what I have found is that there is great pleasure in loving God. Saints throughout the ages have fallen deeply in love with God. (I am not putting myself at the same level as they are in holiness and dedication, I am far from below them)
So is the love of God only understanding the scriptures and a one time pronouncement of faith in the atonement of the Son of God? For me its that but even more it's loving God, receiving His love and entering into the narrow gate. I don't want to offend Him because I love Him (I do sin, however I intend to do what He requires!)
Rev 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
The Song of Songs is described by many as:
The Song of Songs (or Canticle of Canticles) is an exquisite collection of love lyrics, arranged to tell a dramatic tale of mutual desire and courtship. It presents an inspired portrayal of ideal human love, a resounding affirmation of the goodness of human sexuality that is applicable to the sacredness and the depth of married union.
However, I believe that it also can be interpreted as our love to our living God. We can be very attached and love our God.
St. John of the Cross (don't get hung up because he was a Catholic monk please! Judge him on his faith and love of God, which is what I want for myself):
This is just one of his poems, there is far more he wrote. He is a very highly esteemed Spanish poet:
1. Oh, living flame of love
That tenderly woundest my soul in its deepest centre,
Since thou art no longer oppressive, perfect me now if it be thy will,
Break the web of this sweet encounter.
2. Oh, sweet burn! Oh, delectable wound!
Oh, soft hand! Oh, delicate touch
That savours of eternal life and pays every debt!
In slaying, thou hast changed death into life.
3. O lamps of fire! in whose splendours
The deep caverns of feeling, Once obscure and blind,
Now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
Both warmth and light to their Beloved.
4. How gently and lovingly you wake in my heart,
Where in secret you dwell alone;
And in your sweet breathing,
Filled with good and glory,
How tenderly You swell my heart with love
Can you "feel" how passionate he is in the love of God? We will understand how He feels if we feel the same way ourselves.
But what I have found is that there is great pleasure in loving God. Saints throughout the ages have fallen deeply in love with God. (I am not putting myself at the same level as they are in holiness and dedication, I am far from below them)
So is the love of God only understanding the scriptures and a one time pronouncement of faith in the atonement of the Son of God? For me its that but even more it's loving God, receiving His love and entering into the narrow gate. I don't want to offend Him because I love Him (I do sin, however I intend to do what He requires!)
Rev 2:4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
The Song of Songs is described by many as:
The Song of Songs (or Canticle of Canticles) is an exquisite collection of love lyrics, arranged to tell a dramatic tale of mutual desire and courtship. It presents an inspired portrayal of ideal human love, a resounding affirmation of the goodness of human sexuality that is applicable to the sacredness and the depth of married union.
However, I believe that it also can be interpreted as our love to our living God. We can be very attached and love our God.
St. John of the Cross (don't get hung up because he was a Catholic monk please! Judge him on his faith and love of God, which is what I want for myself):
This is just one of his poems, there is far more he wrote. He is a very highly esteemed Spanish poet:
1. Oh, living flame of love
That tenderly woundest my soul in its deepest centre,
Since thou art no longer oppressive, perfect me now if it be thy will,
Break the web of this sweet encounter.
2. Oh, sweet burn! Oh, delectable wound!
Oh, soft hand! Oh, delicate touch
That savours of eternal life and pays every debt!
In slaying, thou hast changed death into life.
3. O lamps of fire! in whose splendours
The deep caverns of feeling, Once obscure and blind,
Now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
Both warmth and light to their Beloved.
4. How gently and lovingly you wake in my heart,
Where in secret you dwell alone;
And in your sweet breathing,
Filled with good and glory,
How tenderly You swell my heart with love
Can you "feel" how passionate he is in the love of God? We will understand how He feels if we feel the same way ourselves.
