"In due time, God sheds abroad His love in the hearts of those whom He has loved from everlasting, so that they in return love Him....This love is not of natural kindling, but from the supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit...The renewed person now sees there to be nothing in heaven or earth to be desired in comparison with Him.....This is one of the essential characteristic features of all the regenerate. They differ considerably in gifts and attainments, but one thing they have in common; they are all lovers of God. Never has a single individual been born into the kingdom of God which was destitute of affection for Him, “every one that loveth is born of God” (1John 4:7)."
~ Arthur Pink, "Our Love to God"
Well stated. I believe many have twisted the verse "we love because He first loved us" thinking that it's a response by us because of God's response to us (tit for tat in a "positive" way). No, rather, it's based in Rom. 5:1,5 that AFTER being justified HE pours His love into our hearts so that we can now love Him as He commands. It has nothing to do with us being impressed with His love and so see some merit in loving Him (as if He earned our affection). It's that now we actually HAVE agape love in our hearts with which to agape God as He instructs us. This is to His glory and is not contingent upon our emotions.
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