Honestly, I am not the biggest fan of studying church history. It is not exactly the most exciting field to study. However, I will admit it is extremely valuable. The Church, the bride of Christ, formed two thousand years ago, and has continued through the ages. Contrary to the belief of some, the Church did not fall off the map at any point in history. And God's Word tells us the Church will stand forever. Therefore, it is beneficial to know and understand the history, particularly when it comes to what we proclaim.
Not surprising, the men and women who have gone before us are also valuable resources for insights into Scripture and what it teaches. I found this quote from Martin Luther's Heidelberg Disputation (just as good as his 95 Theses in terms of content not significance) worthy of note.
The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being through that which is pleasing to it.
While I do not agree with everything Luther ever wrote, this may be one of the most succinct, yet powerful statements made about the love of God outside of Scripture.
Obviously I am not an expert regarding human love. However, I can agree wholeheartedly that it begins with that which is already lovely. I began the pursuit of my fiance because there was something about her that I deemed lovely and pleasing. My love took form and grew as I engaged more and more with those things I found desirable.
Praise God that His love operates in the opposite way! God does not look first onto that which is lovely. In fact, He first loves that which is altogether unlovely and disgusting. He sets His love and affection on sinners actively rebelling against Him. And not only does He gaze lovingly, but through Christ He transforms the unlovely.
I was an active rebel, dead in my sin. I wanted nothing to do with God. I was an object of His righteous judgment. And yet, His love for me in Christ pursued me. It paid the debt of my sin. It raised me to life. It clothed me in Christ's righteousness. It made me lovely. It made me pleasing to God.
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge ~Ephesians 3:18-10
Not surprising, the men and women who have gone before us are also valuable resources for insights into Scripture and what it teaches. I found this quote from Martin Luther's Heidelberg Disputation (just as good as his 95 Theses in terms of content not significance) worthy of note.
The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being through that which is pleasing to it.
While I do not agree with everything Luther ever wrote, this may be one of the most succinct, yet powerful statements made about the love of God outside of Scripture.
Obviously I am not an expert regarding human love. However, I can agree wholeheartedly that it begins with that which is already lovely. I began the pursuit of my fiance because there was something about her that I deemed lovely and pleasing. My love took form and grew as I engaged more and more with those things I found desirable.
Praise God that His love operates in the opposite way! God does not look first onto that which is lovely. In fact, He first loves that which is altogether unlovely and disgusting. He sets His love and affection on sinners actively rebelling against Him. And not only does He gaze lovingly, but through Christ He transforms the unlovely.
I was an active rebel, dead in my sin. I wanted nothing to do with God. I was an object of His righteous judgment. And yet, His love for me in Christ pursued me. It paid the debt of my sin. It raised me to life. It clothed me in Christ's righteousness. It made me lovely. It made me pleasing to God.
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge ~Ephesians 3:18-10
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