A RADICAL RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE

When we think about a radical relationship, God, as in all good things, sets us a sterling example. This language may sound to you less ‘doctrinal’ and more the parlance of romance. If it seems so to you, you are exactly right. For generations the major model for our relationship has been that we are the body of Christ; this is a true and beautiful example. There is, though another true and beautiful exemplary of our relationship with Christ, and that is that we are the Bride of Christ. As the Bride of Christ, the vocabulary of love and the sense of romance ought to be our living space.

It is sometimes difficult for us to think in terms of love, marriage and romance when we ponder our relationship with Jesus. Love, marriage and romance have been tainted, degraded and pornographed. In this sin-filled and fallen world we are unable to fully live up to God’s call.

So it is helpful to keep in mind that God calls us, even in our temporal relationships to a spotless purity and holiness as these relationships reflect God’s love for us. The original romance lies with the Divine, and the imitation or likeness lies in the temporal. Our best and most beautiful stories of romance pale in comparison to the real thing on which ours are modelled.

As we begin to study the love of God from this perspective and we see the actions of the love of Jesus in the Gospels and in our lives, we see that God withheld nothing. Jesus gave His all, pouring Himself out for us. I know of people who delight in ‘rescue projects’; they buy old cars and restore them, they buy old furniture and refurbish them. You are not a ‘rescue project’! You are the very object of Jesus’ delight. He loves you and gave Himself for you. He is not satisfied with you having said a sinner’s prayer. He is not satisfied with an hour Sunday morning. He is not satisfied with your daily quiet time. He is not satisfied with your tongues, or raised hands or conference attendance. Jesus longs to for you to be in a radical relationship of intimacy with Him. He longs for you to choose Him in the way He chose you. He is calling you to choose Him first ahead of all else.

My wife would not be satisfied if I gave her a hour a week or even a day. I remember the moment she walked down the aisle toward me. In that moment there was nothing I would not have done for my beloved. I must confess that over the years there have been many things I haven’t done for her, but that day I pledged to her my troth. Jesus has pledged His love and sealed the vow with His own shed blood.

How then should you respond? I would suggest the place to start might be repentance. Read Revelation chapter 3 and see a picture of love grown cold. Next perhaps it’s time for a renewal of vows. Pledge yourself to Him and seek an even greater intimacy with Him- giving yourself wholeheartedly and unreservedly to Him. Choose as the preeminent relationship in your life your relationship with your Kinsman Redeemer, the Bridegroom, Jesus. Whisper His name to Him in love. Let Him gently touch your heart and make it wholly His. That is what renewal is really all about!