“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1st Cor. 13:11)
No one faults small children for chasing butterflies or rolling in the tall summer grass, but to witness those who are considered adults doing the same would cause us to wonder at the state of their mind.
Infatuation my friends is for small children, adults contemplate the meaning of the word “love” before entering into its joy and commitment.
Before we were born-again, notwithstanding the fact that we were predestined before the foundation of the world, could we say of ourselves this verse as a truth? “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” (Psalm 14:1)
If truth, then the question must be brought to bear today, were you infatuated with the Almighty and the gift of eternal life offered, or did you contemplate the shame of the cross, the blood of His sacrifice, the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ before you made the decision to devote your life to Him for the glory of God?
Did you count the cost, as the one who decided to build a tower did, or was your heart deceived by an emotional outburst that you thought was love?
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Heb. 10:38)
One wonders about those who claim to serve the Lord who spend the majority of their time in and on the world, whose daily thoughts, words and actions seem to revolve around its cares and troubles, whose life is concerned with self and their place in this world, yet once a week for an hour or so they sing the songs and listen to the words spoken, in an attempt to regain that initial emotion that they called love.
How to serve profitably in faithful obedience, how to grow in His knowledge and grace, how to submit to the will of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our life, learning how to die to self is not their cause, trying to regain, if only for a few moments that intense feeling of infatuation, of what they called love is.
No less than that child searching the skies for the next butterfly, or a junkie looking for the next fix to tie him over, the heart must be appeased, that emotional moment must be felt again.
And they call this faith.
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” (Prov. 8:17)
These believe they found Him once, their heart raced with joy, their eyes welled up with tears, an elation they had never experienced before overcame them, happiness seemed to fill their entire soul. But it was as when they were children chasing the dreams and wonders of the day, when they saw one they love that had been away for a long time, when they are hungry and their favorite meal is placed before them.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9)
Faith enjoys the presence of the peace that passes all understanding beside the still waters as well as in that dry and thirsty land, it rests in the assurances of the promises of His Word in the bright and sunny day as much as in the storm. Faith accepts the will of God no matter the feelings that arrive with His will for us in the moment.
Love for the Lord Jesus Christ is born of faith, no emotional entanglement can affect it, no circumstances can alter it, no possible consequence to ourselves can shake it.
Infatuation my friends is not the beginning of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
If this man of God who once was a fool that did not consider the Almighty in his thoughts can be taught these truths, so can you.
