I
InquestofaWoman
Guest
My friends,
This is a special time of year, the most central to the Christian calendar; for it marks the fulfillment of God’s Holy Word, the completion of salvation, and the birth of grace through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Lamb of God, by Whom forgiveness and redemption are freely bestowed to all who accept and believe. Never has there been, nor shall there ever be, a greater love than this. Jesus need not have come to earth where He was mocked, beaten, and savagely killed. He need not have suffered for a world that, even today, despite His innumerable blessings, so boldly and impudently scorns and denies His power. He could have easily destroyed His creation, every one of us, and commenced the earth anew; but He didn’t. He looked down and saw me. He saw you. And He loved us. He loved us enough to save us with His life, to risk the ploys of Satan whom He knew would strive to destroy Him; He loved us enough to be born a helpless baby, and to die a criminal’s death so we could live.
The boundless love of Christ, exemplified by His wondrous sacrifice, is the most beautiful story ever told. Let us, in this season of familial and social bustle–special dinners, Easter bunny hunts, and reunions–remember our precious Jesus. Let His inimitable gift of grace be central to our thoughts and prayers, in everything we do. Dear friends, remember to keep Christ in Easter; but most importantly, may we all strive every day to welcome Him into our lives, and to enfold His love within our hearts.
Thank You, O Lord, for Your goodness towards us. Immerse us in Your sea of mercy. Mold us to Your divine will. Teach us to love and trust You always, and let us never forget who You are or what You have done for us, and for our fallen world.
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.” (Jude 1:24-25)
Amen.
BEHOLD, WHAT MANNER OF LOVE
A definitive essay by Inquest
*Christ’s love acknowledges human frailty, but exalts the interior gifts that make one special. It is appreciative of inward beauty.
It is altruistic in all its endeavours. It protects without isolating and releases without neglecting.
It is a shelter in a time of storm and a solid rock in sinking sand. Neither the storms of life nor the sands of time can prevail against it.
It is selfless and noble. It is filled with longing but devoid of jealousy.
It is inexpensive, yet its worth is more to be valued than gold. It is desired and yearned for, but cannot be stolen.
It is clement in climate regardless of season. It warms without burning and cools without freezing.
It is the apex of prosperity. It rallies behind every worthy ambition, and leads the way to success.
It brings light to the blind and strength to the weary. It gives life to the dying and hope for the living.
It is the antagonist of despair and the protagonist of faith. It is patient and long-suffering, and never stops believing.
It is a passionate flame that cannot be extinguished. Its light never falters, but remains steadfast and strong.
It is the manifestation of good and the obliteration of evil. It is the quintessence of an immaculate entity.
It is just and reasonable. It does not prescribe what cannot be executed.
It is the metamorphosis of temperament from callousness to self-reverence. It breaks the hardened spirit and mends the broken heart.
It is pure, genuine, and true in nature. Its authenticity surpasses the validity of diamonds.
It is soft and gentle, yet deficient of fragility. It cannot be fractured beyond repair.
It is the evidence of sanctity and absolute perfection. Its capacity to purify transcends all human effort.
It bears the august demeanor of royalty. It is majestic, imperial, and beautiful to behold.
It is abundant in quality and noble in quantity. It swarms the soul in profuse doses of humility.
It administers grace tempered with justice and mercy. It forgives and forgets of its own volition.
It offers a haven of peace and tranquility. It puts the anxious mind at ease.
It is omnipotent and perpetual. It is steadfast through life and unconquerable in death.
It is ubiquitous, like the pervasive skies above; it is always there, whenever and wherever needed.
It is the renaissance of regeneration. It fosters vitality on the jaded spirit.
It is the epitome of patience and understanding. It forbears and discerns with wisdom and grace.
It is valiant and sacrificial, the exemplar of ages.
It is a love that loved enough to die.
It is the love of Christ.
Wondrous…everlasting…
*
“Behold what manner of Love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
(1 John 3:1)
This is a special time of year, the most central to the Christian calendar; for it marks the fulfillment of God’s Holy Word, the completion of salvation, and the birth of grace through Jesus Christ our Lord, the Lamb of God, by Whom forgiveness and redemption are freely bestowed to all who accept and believe. Never has there been, nor shall there ever be, a greater love than this. Jesus need not have come to earth where He was mocked, beaten, and savagely killed. He need not have suffered for a world that, even today, despite His innumerable blessings, so boldly and impudently scorns and denies His power. He could have easily destroyed His creation, every one of us, and commenced the earth anew; but He didn’t. He looked down and saw me. He saw you. And He loved us. He loved us enough to save us with His life, to risk the ploys of Satan whom He knew would strive to destroy Him; He loved us enough to be born a helpless baby, and to die a criminal’s death so we could live.
The boundless love of Christ, exemplified by His wondrous sacrifice, is the most beautiful story ever told. Let us, in this season of familial and social bustle–special dinners, Easter bunny hunts, and reunions–remember our precious Jesus. Let His inimitable gift of grace be central to our thoughts and prayers, in everything we do. Dear friends, remember to keep Christ in Easter; but most importantly, may we all strive every day to welcome Him into our lives, and to enfold His love within our hearts.
Thank You, O Lord, for Your goodness towards us. Immerse us in Your sea of mercy. Mold us to Your divine will. Teach us to love and trust You always, and let us never forget who You are or what You have done for us, and for our fallen world.
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever.” (Jude 1:24-25)
Amen.
BEHOLD, WHAT MANNER OF LOVE
A definitive essay by Inquest
*Christ’s love acknowledges human frailty, but exalts the interior gifts that make one special. It is appreciative of inward beauty.
It is altruistic in all its endeavours. It protects without isolating and releases without neglecting.
It is a shelter in a time of storm and a solid rock in sinking sand. Neither the storms of life nor the sands of time can prevail against it.
It is selfless and noble. It is filled with longing but devoid of jealousy.
It is inexpensive, yet its worth is more to be valued than gold. It is desired and yearned for, but cannot be stolen.
It is clement in climate regardless of season. It warms without burning and cools without freezing.
It is the apex of prosperity. It rallies behind every worthy ambition, and leads the way to success.
It brings light to the blind and strength to the weary. It gives life to the dying and hope for the living.
It is the antagonist of despair and the protagonist of faith. It is patient and long-suffering, and never stops believing.
It is a passionate flame that cannot be extinguished. Its light never falters, but remains steadfast and strong.
It is the manifestation of good and the obliteration of evil. It is the quintessence of an immaculate entity.
It is just and reasonable. It does not prescribe what cannot be executed.
It is the metamorphosis of temperament from callousness to self-reverence. It breaks the hardened spirit and mends the broken heart.
It is pure, genuine, and true in nature. Its authenticity surpasses the validity of diamonds.
It is soft and gentle, yet deficient of fragility. It cannot be fractured beyond repair.
It is the evidence of sanctity and absolute perfection. Its capacity to purify transcends all human effort.
It bears the august demeanor of royalty. It is majestic, imperial, and beautiful to behold.
It is abundant in quality and noble in quantity. It swarms the soul in profuse doses of humility.
It administers grace tempered with justice and mercy. It forgives and forgets of its own volition.
It offers a haven of peace and tranquility. It puts the anxious mind at ease.
It is omnipotent and perpetual. It is steadfast through life and unconquerable in death.
It is ubiquitous, like the pervasive skies above; it is always there, whenever and wherever needed.
It is the renaissance of regeneration. It fosters vitality on the jaded spirit.
It is the epitome of patience and understanding. It forbears and discerns with wisdom and grace.
It is valiant and sacrificial, the exemplar of ages.
It is a love that loved enough to die.
It is the love of Christ.
Wondrous…everlasting…
*
“Behold what manner of Love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
(1 John 3:1)