“Lovest thou Me…Lovest thou Me…Lovest thou Me…?”
THE KIND OF LOVE PAUL HAD FOR CHRIST
In the Western, Broken Trail, Robert Duvall’s character, describing love, said, “It’s bone deep.” That is, it goes to the center, to the very marrow. This warrior’s love for his King was not giddy, gushy, or romantic; nor was it puppy love. His was a love that would give up everything, suffer all things, and become anything, for the Lover of his soul. His love knew no limits. Christ’s desire was his command. All the things this blessed man suffered his life-long for his Saviour seemed, as it is said of Jacob's love for Rachel, “And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.”
CHAINED BY LOVE
The Apostle’s theme song was, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.” Although Christ set him free, he willingly made himself a bond-slave to his Master. As the servant in the Old Testament who was given the opportunity to be set free said, “And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master...I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.” Ex. 21:5-6
LOVE IN RETURN
Paul’s love for Jesus was a reciprocal one, “We love Him, because He first loved us.” You might say, it was love at first sight. Once Paul saw Him, he was blinded to everything and everyone else. He only had eyes for his Lover. His love for Christ was neither hot, cold, or lukewarm; it was always boiling, and on the front burner! There was not a cranny in his body, soul, or spirit, that was not filled with love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
NO ONE HAS A PREMIUM ON LOVING JESUS CHRIST
Some may have more, do more, know more, but none can love more. It is an act of one’s will.
As the fire on the altar, in the Old Testament, our love for Christ is to never go out! “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”~ Lv. 6:13