Many preachers that I have come across would insert the word 'favour' instead of love however I believe that favour towards us is centred in His love.
The subject that I was looking at was the Apostle Paul who it appears had 'a thorn in the flesh' which was causing him grief.
That's something all of us possibly can relate to in this life.
Paul had spoke to God about this matter three times - 2 Corinthians 12 - and God had answered him in a way that satisfied Paul and allowed his ministry of the Gospel to continue.
2 Corinthians 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
I write on this subject because I see in the faithful 'Church' - the body that the Lord Jesus Christ will return in rapture for - a decline in in listening and applying what God is saying to us.
There appears always to be a search for more than that gift of Salvation that God has given through His Son.
More and more there is a sense that the Christan wants to do it his/her way rather than God's Way. Of course the way that God wants us to live is through His Word and being lead by the Holy Spirit into all truth. - John 16:13.
Yet it seems that even God's Word on many matters is not enough. We see that He states that Salvation is without works of any kind, yet many want to include things like, Baptism, good works, Church sacraments and even church membership as a means to Salvation and a relationship with God..
Surely one prayer for us as believers should be that we pay more attention to what God says rather than what man or others say as regards the Christian walk.
2 Timothy 3:16-17All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
NB It is only when we are 'of God' that the good works kick in.
Paul was satisfied with the Word from God.
That of course begs the question for many of us - are we satisfied with God's preseved Word on the manner of our lives or do we just crave for our own way.
Is our Bible just a book that doesn't relate to you any more?
Consider God's Word on the matter.
Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
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