The Perfecting of Love

1340/10,000 The Perfecting Of Love

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

I John 2 v 5

When we keep or retain or store the Word in our hearts, the love of God is perfected in us. This is the mark of ownership and approval of God. We know that we belong to Him and He belongs to us. We will understand the length, breadth, height, depth of God ‘s love and make it manifest in practical ways in our lives. God’s love is perfect while our love for God as well as for other human beings is not perfect. Our motives are often selfish. The Word will correct the motive behind every thought and so perfect our love for God and others. It will help our love reflect the love of God. It will over time become like the love that St Paul describes in the first book of Corinthians: “ not jealous or conceited or proud, not holding a record of wrongs. Love is patient and kind and its faith, hope and patience never fail.”

We will see and understand the world through the templates of the Word. It will impart wisdom, judgement and discernment to us. It will replace our fears with faith and trust in the Lord and His ways. Perfect love has no fear in it. Imagine living a life with no fear. This is what is shalom or perfect peace. We obey the Word not out of fear of punishment or in pursuit of rewards but out of love for God. Scripture lives us a script for living and yet it gives us abundant freedom within this frame of reference. It throws light on a path to avoid as well as a path to follow. A command to obey is often accompanied by a promise to claim and a truth to proclaim.

Through the instrumentality of the Word, God consummates us or perfects and completes us. He fills the gaps and makes us whole. We will learn to walk in the ways of the Lord. Keeping the Word implies regularly reading, praying over scripture, meditating, believing, claiming, obeying and applying it in our practical lives. These disciplines will both bless us and make us a blessing. The Word is the medium of instruction and language of God and it enables us to communicate with Him, understand His priorities and make His priorities ours. The Word gives us a map that charts out the course of life as well as the path to eternal life. It shows us the channel on which we should pray and communicate with the Lord. The Word is also the medium through which He fills the cup of life with joy. Scriptures says that “there are pleasures forevermore at the right hand of God.” Many people shy away from scripture under the mistaken impression that it takes away their access to pleasure. It, in fact, reduces pain and enhances our delight, joy and pleasure of living.

Prateep V Philip