Nuggets from An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith by Dave Hunt - Developing a Passion for God

Nuggets from “An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith” by Dave Hunt – Developing a Passion for God

If loving God with one’s whole being is the greatest commandment, then not to do so, as we have just seen, must be the greatest sin – indeed, the root of all sin. How is it, then, that loving God without which all else is but “sounding brass, or a tinkling symbol” (1 Corinthians:13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
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I speak to my own heart! At times I weep that, like Martha (Luke:10:38-42 [38] Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. [40] But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. [41] And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
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How does one learn to love God without ever having seen Him (John:1:18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
See All...; 1 Timothy:6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
See All...; 1 John:4:12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
See All..., 20)? Obviously, there must be a reason for loving God – or anyone. Yes, reason and love do go together. Love must result from more than a physical attraction, which, in itself, can only arouse a fleshly response. In addition to the outward appeal, there are the inner beauties of personality, character, integrity, and, of course, the other’s love response. God loves without such reasons. Our love, even for Him, requires them. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John:4:19We love him, because he first loved us.
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Our heavenly Father loves even those who make themselves His enemies, those who defy Him, reject His laws, deny His existence, and would tear Him from His throne. Christ proved that love in going to the cross to pay the penalty for all, even asking the Father to forgive those who nailed Him there (Luke:23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
See All...). Such is the love that the Christian, too, having experienced it for himself, is to manifest through Christ living in him: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew:5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
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