Luke 7:42-43 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?… Give the humble daisy leave to grow, though it sprout not up to that height as doth the marigold. And let not him that joineth the frame despise him that heweth the timber or makes the pins; who so hath greatest degree of grace, let him use it to God's glory, but no way despise his weak brother, who comes far short of his scantling. Let it serve for an encouragement to those whose hearts are newly warmed with the beams of love, though they find it not kindled to that height that others of God's children have attained unto, It is not every one's portion to attain to that height of passion, so as to be sick of love. God takes in good part a growing and increasing love which maybe attained. 1. By enlarging our communion with God both in public and private duties. Strangeness, you know, breeds an overliness with men; so with God. The nearer the fire, the greater the heat; speak often to God by prayer, hear Him again speaking unto you by His Word and Spirit. 2. By weaning our hearts more and more from this world. You know superfluous branches draw the sap from the top boughs, and the love of the world draws the love of God out of our hearts, as we find in Demas (2 Timothy 4:9). 3. Carefully observe and call to mind the many and sweet experiences you have of God's love and favour. The more plentiful our apprehension is of God's love to us, the more will our hearts be enlarged to love Him again. (N. Rogers.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?WEB: When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?" |
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