Today's Reading & Quotes
The Divine Drama of Love: Act 4
Why did it take so long? Why didn’t God act as soon as man was exiled from the garden of Eden? Mankind needed to see that the devil’s lie about their being able to run their own lives, led only to being “slaves of sin” entrapped in the bondage of religion. Humanity needed to recognize that self-orientation could never lead to any genuine sense of relationship and community. There had to be time for mankind to learn that Law couldn’t work for it made no provision, and that only God’s Grace and Love could allow man to be what he was intended to be, individually and collectively.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” (John 3:16)
NOT ... God begrudgingly considered the plight of mankind, and sent a representative...”
NOT ... God determined to engage in a power-play and make things right by sending His right-hand man.
NOT ... God decided to assert His authority and use His limitless resources to buy man out of his problem.
He has followed us into our own darkness; there where we thought finally to escape him, we run straight into his arms. So we do not have to erect a false piety for ourselves, to give us the hope of salvation. Our hope is his determination to save us, and he will not give in.
His cry from the cross was “Tetelestai”, “It is finished!” That was not a cry of defeat, “It’s over! We made a valiant attempt, but we failed!” That was not a cry of resignation, “It’s done. I’m glad that’s over!” NO, it was a declaration of victory. “It’s completed. The battle is won. God’s end objective to overcome Satan, death and sin has been accomplished. God’s restorative love action to draw all men unto Himself has been set in motion. It cannot fail.” The “finished work of Jesus Christ” recognizes that He has done it, and He will do it!
But the dynamic drama of God’s Love is not just a “message”, a love-note being passed on. The vital Love of God must be experienced in a personal and existential involvement with the Triune God.
Why did it take so long? Why didn’t God act as soon as man was exiled from the garden of Eden? Mankind needed to see that the devil’s lie about their being able to run their own lives, led only to being “slaves of sin” entrapped in the bondage of religion. Humanity needed to recognize that self-orientation could never lead to any genuine sense of relationship and community. There had to be time for mankind to learn that Law couldn’t work for it made no provision, and that only God’s Grace and Love could allow man to be what he was intended to be, individually and collectively.
------------
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” (John 3:16)
NOT ... God begrudgingly considered the plight of mankind, and sent a representative...”
NOT ... God determined to engage in a power-play and make things right by sending His right-hand man.
NOT ... God decided to assert His authority and use His limitless resources to buy man out of his problem.
------------
He has followed us into our own darkness; there where we thought finally to escape him, we run straight into his arms. So we do not have to erect a false piety for ourselves, to give us the hope of salvation. Our hope is his determination to save us, and he will not give in.
------------
His cry from the cross was “Tetelestai”, “It is finished!” That was not a cry of defeat, “It’s over! We made a valiant attempt, but we failed!” That was not a cry of resignation, “It’s done. I’m glad that’s over!” NO, it was a declaration of victory. “It’s completed. The battle is won. God’s end objective to overcome Satan, death and sin has been accomplished. God’s restorative love action to draw all men unto Himself has been set in motion. It cannot fail.” The “finished work of Jesus Christ” recognizes that He has done it, and He will do it!
------------
But the dynamic drama of God’s Love is not just a “message”, a love-note being passed on. The vital Love of God must be experienced in a personal and existential involvement with the Triune God.
posted by GBT at
Thursday, June 02, 2005
