Love that plunges to destruction
Love that plunges to destruction
Judges 16:4-6, 15-17.
The Bible text above details the sad story of a mighty man whose continual, unrestrained love for the women of his arch-enemy became his ultimate downfall. This man had survived multiple attempts on his life through the same avenue of lustfulness in the past, yet continued to test his luck until he lost his strength and foothold by the departure of the Spirit of God. The enemy pounced on him and made sure he never fully recovered though he had his vengeance on the Philistines. Let me point out a very cogent point in this story. Samson failed to realize the unseen person behind all the instigations of the Philistines- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. He became the mortal enemy of the devil from the very day that the purpose of God was declared concerning him. But this man failed in the dual requirements of piety and watchfulness to withstand the wiles of the devil and he paid dearly for it. Brethren, we ought to learn from the downfall of this chosen mighty warrior and make amends in any avenue we seem to be compromising with the dainties of the flesh- 2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be all of you separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Having considered a love (lust) that destroys, let us consider the true love that saves, safeguards, and keeps to the ultimate delivery of God’s plan and purpose- Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that all of you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
The love of Christ toward us is the bedrock of our success in life and ministry and our continual abode in Him is guaranteed as long as we continue nurturing this love and keeping to His will- 1 John 4:19 We love him because he first loved us.
Love is the most powerful tool ever fashioned and remains the ultimate determinant of any man’s inclination be it toward the Lord or the devil. Love establishes a desire and ensures the actualization of the same no matter the obstacle or the price- Ruth 1:16-17 And Ruth said, Implore me not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge: your people shall be my people, and your God my God: Where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also if ought but death part you and me. Until we come to this point in our spiritual journey with the Lord, we remain aloof and far off from Him and can only offer superficial reverence and half-hearted service.
Meditation: 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
