I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
We love Him because He first loved us. (I Jn. 4:19)
When the Fire of God Melts Your Cold Heart
God knows every person before he is born (Jer. 1:5, Ps. 139:16). He also knows man’s propensity to sin. God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. But God so loved that He gave Jesus (Jn. 3:16). His Only Son. This is the price He paid for man to live forever with Him. Because He loves, He suffered and sacrificed. Because He suffered and sacrificed, man can love. Because man can love God, man can love mankind. When one knows that God loves him, sacrifice becomes satisfaction and burdens become blessings. When one loves God in return, he discovers joy in the little things, love in the darkness, and hope in the grave. God’s love for mankind transforms man from the inside out. Man’s heart, once icy, melts under the warm radiance of His love. God possesses all wisdom, power, and knowledge, and He is love. Love is at the core of His being. He delights in maintaining a loving relationship with His beloved, desiring good for them, rejoicing in giving Himself to them.
We may hear that He loves us, read that He loves us, think that He loves us. Only when we are alone with Him can we know that He loves us. When we know His love for us, we can love one another (v. 12). Our love for others is not our own love, but God’s love working through us. God unseen. Love seen. We are as mirrors reflecting His love in us; He has shown us how to love.
Is there a block between your cold heart and the fire of God? You cannot love God and not love others who are just like what you were when you learned that God loves you. If you are cold, warm up in God’s love, reflecting on His love for you. His love, incomprehensible and all-consuming. When you have learned His love from the cross, you can be certain of His love for you. When you are certain of His love, you can reflect it toward others. This is the foundation of the Christian walk. If you shut out His love, you shut out peace and hope, locking in misery and death. Let these words ring loud and clear in your heart today, “I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.”
Roadblocks to Knowing God’s Love for You
When I consider the price God paid to demonstrate His love for me at the cross before I even knew Him, I wonder why I have such a difficult time forgiving my unsaved brother. A young friend once said, “If they don’t know the Lord, what can you expect?” She is right. Unforgiveness can become a roadblock to personally knowing God’s love. I would like to reflect God’s love toward the most difficult person in my life. I know God wants me to pray for reconciliation. Question is whether my dislike for my brother is greater than my love for God? Lord, melt my icy heart.
Your turn: Is God trying to melt your icy heart? Has He placed a difficult person in your life? If so, can you reflect His love toward that person? Would you be willing to challenge yourself to pray for this person for the next 5 days—or ask God to warm your heart for Him? Here’s today’s challenge: take out your journal, write today’s date and your commitment to pray for the next 5 days. While it is unlikely that you would become best friends, it is possible that you might notice your cold heart begin to melt for this person.