The strongest relationships are those that transcend feelings and are based on the value we place on the other. This often involves feelings for the other but not necessarily. We may not be getting anything from the relationship at any given moment that would stir feelings in us (though pleasant memories of positive treatment or experiences with them from the past can evoke positive emotions). It may in fact cost us a great deal of time and resources to remain in a particular relationship, with no indication of immediate benefit or reward. We do it simply because we value them that much.
A common example would be caring for a parent with Alzheimer's (or some other debilitating condition), who sacrificed for us growing up so we could have the best life possible. We act in Love towards them even though it is completely one sided, with no appreciation from them *at the time. We do it simply because we appreciate them for all they did for us.
A common example would be caring for a parent with Alzheimer's (or some other debilitating condition), who sacrificed for us growing up so we could have the best life possible. We act in Love towards them even though it is completely one sided, with no appreciation from them *at the time. We do it simply because we appreciate them for all they did for us.
*Not unlike our love for our kids is often one sided, with little appreciation by them at the time for what we do for them.
When someone has proven by past deeds they value us; past deeds so great they impacted us for the rest of our lives, so much so we would never question their love or their value of us even though we see no evidence of their love at the given time, then we are willing to do things for them with no immediate advantage or benefit to us. In fact we are willing to suffer loss. We see the benefit and it's great enough we feel could never adequately "return the favor."
Now what if this is a person we have not actually met but have only experienced the benefit of their actions on our behalf from afar. Not unlike getting a large some of money from someone who found out we incurred a debt beyond our ability to pay it (and incurred by our own poor choices). A debt so great in fact, the rest of our lives were ruined if we didn't get help... and this person from afar took care of that debt.
Now what if we are also told by this person we are living for, that they have more in store for us yet to come that is great beyond anything we could image, even greater than their past kind deeds on our behalf. Would we choose to believe this Promise of future reward based on these past proofs alone, no matter how little the evidence we see of their love/value for us at the moment?
What drives us to believe this when we are not seeing or experiencing any evidence of their love in the moment? What they have done for us previously is of such immense value, it is enough to prove their love for us and value of us even if they never did anything else. In fact it was so great, we are convinced (we believe) when promised, that most of what they will do is yet to come. We believe this promise because of what they already did in the past.
What drives us to believe this when we are not seeing or experiencing any evidence of their love in the moment? What they have done for us previously is of such immense value, it is enough to prove their love for us and value of us even if they never did anything else. In fact it was so great, we are convinced (we believe) when promised, that most of what they will do is yet to come. We believe this promise because of what they already did in the past.
Acting for God's glory (i.e. out of a desire to display his great value) is not acting because we necessarily feel like it or because we see any immediate or significant benefit from it. It can be acting in gratitude for past actions that infinitely benefited us.
It can also be out of anticipation (hope) of experiencing the joy of being with this person one day who did these past great things for us. A joy of anticipation that is great because we value them and look forward to being with this person who did so much for us (even though we have never meet them). A future joy we are also told, that is enhanced/ deepened by our faithfulness (obedience) to them in the moment.
We love God not only for past actions on our behalf but the promise of future reward. A reward that is enhanced by faithfulness to them based on our trust in that love they showed us in the past. The reward of being with this one that values us so infinitely they willingly experienced great loss and harm to themselves so they could be with us and reunite us with their Father, who is the source of their love for us.
This is an anticipated gain, not a present one. A gain assured to us by the promise of the giver and proven to us by their past acts of giving to us, not necessarily evidenced by the present experience of present gain/benefit.
Who has loved us in this way, presently loves us and promises we are yet to see the full expression of that love in the future? Only one person, Jesus.
When we have nothing else; no other proof of love other than these past and future promises, is this is enough? It is if and when we understand how greatly he values (love) us and how much he gave to prove it. Do you believe?
What about others who do not and can not love us in return? How do we treat them?
We treat them with the same exact love Christ has shown us because he calls us to for his sake and promises us he will honor us for our sacrificial love because we seek to honor him by loving as he loves. His love is sufficient to move us to love others even when their love in return (or lack of it) is not.
So we love Christ for what he has done and what he will do (i.e. promises to do in eternity). These alone are adequate to move us to faithfulness to him even if and when we see no immediate or present advantage in doing so.
