Philippians 2:1 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
The most pleasing force within our mind is this “love”, and it is indeed a mighty force. The force of this “love” will brighten even the darkest days, turn grief into joy, sooth the most severe pain, fill the gap of awful loneliness, and drive away the worst fears. This “love” is not limited by nor dependent upon appearance or beauty. This “love” cannot be purchased nor sold. This “love” is instilled in the mind’s heart of every Child of God, by God Himself! We are clearly told that “We love him [our God], because he first loved us.” (I John 4:19); that is, He chose to “love” us, and upon giving us Spiritual Birth (John 3:1-8) He instilled within us the knowledge and feeling of His “love” for us and gave us a deep and abiding love for Him. People speak of falling in “love” and then not loving anymore; almost always bringing great sorrow and pain. But, this “love” is not haphazard nor whimsical, it is Eternally established and instilled by the God who declared “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3); furthermore, there is absolutely nothing that “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:31-29)! Though our person and deeds have rendered us entirely unworthy of our God, His “love” prevailed on our behalf; for, “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:4-6). And, our Lord has the “Greater love”; for, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)! This Sovereign “love” will speak to us as a “still small voice” (I Kings 19:12); bringing us “comfort” when we feel entirely forsaken, when we are young and our friends seem repulsed by our Biblical moralities, when our world is falling apart, when no one else seems to understand our condition, when our best efforts are failing, when we see ourselves absolutely unworthy and unfit for even the smallest blessing, when we’re getting old and feeling cast aside, and when we can see death just before us. The first line of one of my favorite hymns reads, “I love my Savior God because He first love me …”! And, like Job we look forward to that wonderful day in which we shall see our loving Lord: “Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:27)!