HE FIRST LOVED US .

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MARCH 11

1 John 4:19

We love him, because

he first loved us.

 
Our love to God, is but a feeble reflection of his love to us.
 
He loved us in eternity, that we might love him in time.
He loved us without any cause in us; but being infinitely lovely,
he should be loved for his own sake.
 
But it is the display of his love, which awakens love in our bosoms towards him; and his love being shed abroad in our hearts we love him in return. 

     No man in his natural state can love God, 

         for “the carnal mind is enmity against God,

             it is not subject to the law of God, 

                     neither indeed can be.”
 
If therefore we love him, or even heartily desire to love him, it is proof that our hearts have undergone a change; and that change is the effect and proof of his love to us.
 
Every spiritual blessing flows naturally from his love, and whatever comes to us from him is a covenant blessing, and leads us back to him in return.
 
Our faith is in his word,
   our hope in his mercy,
        our love to his people,
            our zeal for his cause,
                 our sorrow for sin, and
                      our desires after holiness,
 are all so many proofs of his love to us.
 
But our sonship crowns the whole.
 
   This is unparalleled love,
        that such sinners as we are,
              should be called, “THE SONS OF GOD.”
 

How can I doubt thy love to me,

Thy love which doth my soul constrain,

To seek an influence from thee,

To love my gracious Lord again!

 
James Smith