HOT PURSUIT
by Parris Bailey
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5
Where would be without God’s love? Especially the love of God poured out over us, in us and through us. I shudder at the thought of it, knowing my own heart. It’s amazing to watch when our love runs out, God’s love takes over. S.D. Gordon says; “The love of God is height less, depthless, shoreless, shall flood our hearts, making us as gentle and tenderhearted, and self-sacrificing and gracious as He. Every phase of life will become intrenched in love. Peace is love resting, bible study is love studying it’s lover’s letters. Prayer is love keeping trust. Conflict with sin is love jealously fighting for its lover. Hatred of sin is love shrinking from that which separates from its lover. Sympathy is love tenderly. Enthusiasm is love burning. Patience is love waiting. Faithfulness is love sticking fast. Humility is love taking its true place. Modesty is love keeping out of sight. Soul-winning is love-pleading. Love is revolutionary. It radically changes us, and revolutionizes our spirit toward all others. Love is democratic. It ruthlessly levels all class distinctions. Love is intensely practical. It is always hunting something to do. Love is not only the finest fruit but it is the final test of a Christian life. When the Holy Spirit takes possession there is love, aye, more than a flood of it. Waters come rushing down, cutting out new channels, washing down rubbish, tearing valuable property from its moorings. It will cut new channels broaden and deepen old ones.”
Augustine: “There, εκκεχυται, it is poured out, and diffused abroad; filling,
quickening, and invigorating all our powers and faculties. This
love is the spring of all our actions; it is the motive of our
obedience; the principle through which we love God, we love him
because he first loved us; and we love him with a love worthy of
himself, because it springs from him: it is his own; and every
flame that rises from this pure and vigorous fire must be pleasing
in his sight: it consumes what is unholy; refines every passion
and appetite; sublimes the whole, and assimilates all to itself.
And we know that this is the love of God; it differs widely from
all that is earthly and sensual. The Holy Ghost comes with it;
by his energy it is diffused and pervades every part; and by his
light we discover what it is, and know the state of grace in
which we stand. Thus we are furnished to every good word and
work; have produced in us the mind that was in Christ; are enabled
to obey the pure law of our God in its spiritual sense, by loving
him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and our
neighbor, any and every soul of man, as ourselves.”
Lord, go ahead and pour!