Pastor Ponderings #188: Little Loves

We’re told it’s the little things that make the difference in relationships. This is true in many ways. Recognizing little kindnesses can cushion the common frustrations of life in close quarters. Striving to be courteous and considerate of others helps a good deal to take attention off one another’s shortcomings. A grouchy undertone can often be appeased with a gentle or joyful reply. These are like littles loves.

Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

Little loves lose their luster in light of a relationship with the Lord. There is no “little” in the length Jesus went to secure our pardon and restore us to right relationship with the Father. Little loves in this context are wholly insufficient. To our own hurt, we lower our love level to the degree that we believe we have been forgiven. Unfortunately, it seems a built-in feature of individuals to think themselves better than they really are. How much we feel we have been forgiven determines the depth of our devotion, not how much we have actually been forgiven.

Luke 7:47 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

We do not need to stay in a state of little love. The careless may give greater consideration to the blood shed for their ransom. The powerful might measure the low esteem and meekness of their professed Master and choose to humble themselves. The self-righteous may lower their lofty gaze and discover themselves more needy. I admit having spent much time in this camp. They who dwell deliberately in despair may find satisfaction, sufficiency and even joy in the salvation of Christ.

Let us be done with lesser things. Oh that we might explore the vastness of the depth and height and length and width of the unsearchable love of God. Let us mine in earnest the great stores of grace offered us. Let us never underestimate the extremity of our sin in His holy presence. May we see Lord how great a sinner we are! For only a great Savior can deliver a great sinner. A little Lord satisfies those who see themselves as having sinned but little.

A maturing walk with God reveals an ever-clearer view of one’s desperate need. It also renders the grace of God a growing gift to dispel the disparity. The glory God receives grows in tandem with your recognition of the grace given to grant you eternal life. Let His glory grow and be done with little loves.