Love and a Pure Heart

This week I am reading comments in Great Holiness Classics, Volume 1 on 1 Timothy 1:5: “Now the end of the commandment is love, out of a pure heart." Here are a few thoughts that I am feasting on:

God does not require of us great skill or great ability; it is only love that He asks from us. And where there is love, God is more delighted in our loving than in all the knowledge and wisdom that any man upon earth can ever express in his best work. But where there is no love, all wisdom, all knowledge, all works, and all gifts are totally unprofitable.

It is love alone that unites us to God--for God is love and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.

That last comment is so interesting to me. If we want to be living in Him each moment, we must be living in love. We are not abiding in Him when we allow critical thoughts, unkind judgments, or proud attitudes. Instead, we are to live aware of His love for us and to be channels of His love to others. Of course, this is impossible except as we willingly receive the love the Holy Spirit desires to pour into our hearts. (Romans 5:5)

"God will most freely kindle the flames of love in your heart. He will give this love to you if you pray to Him for it. Every moment must be a constant habitual resignation of your will to Him."

Habitual moment by moment resignation to Him is all He asks.

True love comes "out of a pure heart" that is cleansed from self-interest. This is the glorious message that we have to give at the Come to the Fire conference! God will cleanse our hearts of self-interest so we can love Him with all our hearts!