“A Love So Divine”

Christian, in this small devotion I implore you to stop what you are doing and behold the glory of the wondrous cross. Forget everything for just a moment and settle your mind upon the Son of God dying for your sins upon a rugged tree. Yes, beloved, your sins. Those murderous thoughts that have never worked themselves out into your hands, but have been meditated upon in your mind day and night for those whom you have hated; Those adulterous eyes that have left the one whom God has given you from the foundations of the world for just a moment with brief jesters of the mind. Or how about the lust and envy that inflames the passions of your heart when you see someone’s advancement in this life as jealousy runs rampant through your entire body. Let us dare not forget the moment when the silent voice of your mind said, “I thank God I’m not like the homosexual, the liar, the immoral, the drug afflicted outcast, the drunkards of this world as you parade around for a moment in garments of vain religion that no one can see with the physical eye. Christian, I have painted a small picture of what still lurks within our own flesh. This is a constant battle that we must continue to bring under the supremacy of Jesus Christ. For the scriptures tell us, “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.

So stop Christian, I beseech you to behold the glory of the wondrous cross, for greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. So cast your eyes upon the crucified hanging with crimson blood flowing from His wounded body, gaze upon His marred frame, see the bruising that now covers His olive skin, observe the lacerations of His mutilated flesh, hear the agony of His suffering, and listen to His raspy voice as His lungs are filling with blood crying out to you, “I have loved you before you ever knew me, and I will love you to the end, I will never leave you nor forsake you.” As each day goes by beloved, do not neglect to remember the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Do not become so consumed with the busyness of life that you do not fall to your knees in holy worship. Whatever you do, do all for the glory of God giving thanks to the Father Who cast His affections upon you when you were unlovable. Sing to Him, “When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down! Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.” May God help you do so today.