with love incorruptible

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Ephesians 6:24

Calvin said of this verse: “...to love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity is as necessary as ever.” What was true five centuries ago for the Protestant reformers must be true today! We have so many temptations to corrupt our hearts from purely loving Jesus. But again, as Calvin comments, “...when the heart of man is free from all hypocrisies, it will be free from all corruption... But let there be no hypocrisy; for most men, while they are not unwilling to make some profession of religion, entertain exceedingly low notions of Christ, and worship Him with pretended homage.” 

What Paul is praying for Christians to do, and what Calvin was aware of as well as a need in the church of his day, is for us to be Christians who REALLY love Jesus like we say we do. It isn’t just a Sunday head nod. It isn’t just some kind of crowd-induced, “happy clappy” moment. We will know grace when we love Jesus from a heart that is undivided in its attention. Jesus battles those who see religion as self-effort and a way to get noticed. But for those who obey and worship Him because they love Him, grace pours out and over all that they know!

Lord,

You know how many ways I am tempted toward even seeing Christian faith as a path to self-promotion. Spirit of God, convict me when I head that way. Turn my heart. I want to love You, Lord Jesus, free from hypocrisy, untainted by my selfishness, with the highest and purest love!

Amen