It is impossible to truly know God without being transformed. To claim to have had an encounter with the Maker of the Universe, and yet remain the same just does not stack up. It is meeting with the God of beauty that alone enables us to ‘worship the LORD in the beauty of His holiness’ (Psalm 96:9)
Tragically, the 21st century Western mind darkened by sin, if willing to admit to there being a God, generally views Him as some kind of tyrant. The sour and distorted views may vary:
▪ A cruel despot seeking to enslave those He created
▪ A celestial taxman, seeking to cream off any profit we worked hard to earn
▪ A divine vampire sucking the joy and fun out of our lives
Glory
It is no wonder then, that so many can identify with CS Lewis, who at conversion was “surprised by joy” when discovering the very opposite to be true – that the ‘God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”’ (2 Cor. 4:6)
Extravagant love
A grasp of the love of Christ – all that he is, and all that he had done for us, especially in laying down his life us – only serves to cause us to respond to him with the extravagant love which we ourselves have received. It is this we see so clearly in Mary, when ‘she poured the expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair…and the house was filled with the fragrance’ (John 12:3). Despite the sharp criticism and looks of disdain, she pours out, not just her life savings, upon Jesus but her very heart. This is nothing less than pure worship.
‘A good question
It is only reasonable for a person to ask…“If there is a God, then what exactly does He require of me?” We could reply in many ways and with many words, but perhaps the best answer, comes from the Saviour’s own lips, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt 22: 37, 38). Or to answer in just two words extravagant love.
Holding nothing back
If we are at a point where we coolly calculate time, money or effort given to God, we surely have missed the whole point of what He desires of us. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. It is this which Jesus sees as “a beautiful thing”(Mark 14:6).
Listen to Mike’s message on Extravagant Love HERE
