In 2014, some players from a high school football team were involved in various forms of poor behavior: skipping classes, getting failing grades, and even cyber-bullying. The head coach came up with a radical disciplinary measure: He disbanded the entire team. Players and their families reacted to the news with contrite acceptance, for they knew how much the coach cared for his players.
A similar dynamic exists in the book of Philippians. Paul’s word choices in his letter to the church at Philippi are strikingly intimate and tender. He states that he has the church in his heart, declaring that God Himself can testify how much He loves those who are part of it (Philippians 1:8).
Clearly, Paul deeply loved the church. And this loving tone would have profoundly affected the way the Philippian church understood Paul’s overall instruction. For whatever he subsequently wrote or said, even if it was harsh and direct, they could be confident that the words were selected in a spirit of love. And when you’re confident that someone really loves you, your attitude toward what they have to say is profoundly affected.
This same dynamic holds true for us in our relationship with God. When He instructs, rebukes, or encourages us, it’s easy to see Him as a strict enforcer of rules, and so we chafe at His “unfair” regulations. But countless passages like John 3:16, Hebrews 12:5-6, and 1 John 3:16 remind us that more than anything else, it’s love that motivates God in His relationship with us.
Whatever God says, He says in love. Let’s choose to take His words to heart!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 6:1-13
More:
Read Romans 5:8 and Ephesians 2:4-5 for further reminders of God’s love, and see how it should affect the way we listen to Him!
Next:
What’s the main way you view and understand God? As a judge or enforcer of rules? As a loving parent or friend? How does your understanding of God affect the way you listen to His words and commands?
Gary Shultz on February 5, 2015 at 6:33 am
You just have to be happy with the way this blog reads winding up with the love of God. The total Master and Manifester of all that we know as love. All that we have learned, all we have experienced and feel has come from the Father. As the recent song says, “How can this be”?
Mike Wittmer on February 5, 2015 at 8:03 am
Thank you, Peter, for reminding me that the fiercest forms of love don’t always feel like it at the time. Those whom God loves, He disciplines (Hebrews 12:6)