“Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” Psalm 26:8
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
“Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken?” Nehemiah 13:11
The reason that a people love God’s house and seek to be in attendance thereof, is said to be a person’s own love for God. To love God, is to love to be in the house of God. The first commandment, which is the foundation upon which service to God is built is: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37
A love for God is not inherent in our human nature. Rather, human nature is estranged from God, alienated to God, going astray from God, and seeketh not God. A personal love for God is only found when one repents of their natural sin condition, and seeks unto the mercy and grace of God to save them from their lost condition. In receiving Christ by faith into one’s heart as Saviour and Lord, God gives unto the individual the power of God to become His son. This gift of salvation through faith in Christ, is God commending His love toward us. And, “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5 Thus, a Christian’s love for God originates within those who have been made partakers of God’s love by faith in Christ to save them: “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
How is it possible for a mother to love her child? From what is found within her heart to extend to her child. When a mother does not want her baby and forsakes her child, we say she is without natural affection. We know it is due to what is found within a Christian’s own heart that they will set their affection on the house of God. A mother who loves her child does not need to be coerced by others to attend to her child. She will put the child’s interests above her own. She will gladly spend and be spent for the nurturing of her child. Love compels her to do her best and be her best for her child’s sake. She loves her child first above all else.
In these days, when iniquity is abounding and the love of many has waxed cold, God has a question for our hearts: “…lovest thou me more than these?” John 21:15 Does the love of God radiate itself in your heart? Does God have first place in your heart, mind, life, and soul, because of the real bond of His love within? If not, don’t you think it is about time to turn to His mercy and grace?
SHARING
