For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth: and He will shew Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. - John 5:20
"The Father loveth the Son." Perfect love between Jesus and God the Father produced a confidence so strong that it was able to face supreme tragedy. In the Saviour's prayer in Gethsemane we see how the divine will was the dominating factor in Jesus' life. "In the prayer," says T.W. Manson, "this absolute trust in the Father and complete obedience to His will overcome the natural shrinking from the approaching ordeal....Such faith and such endurance are not built upon a foundation of pious phrases; rather do they stand upon the rock of a profound and intense religious experience, the experience of God the Father."
Can we not better understand God's declaration that "perfect love casteth out fear. He that feareth is not made perfect by love"? If our love for God is based on constant communion and complete surrender to His will, we know that "all things work together for good."
Our response to God's love will give us true boldness in our service for our fellow men. Whenever Christianity has been cautious it has been a fraud. Whenever love of the Master has burned in the hearts of believers, there has been a devotion and a daring of spirit which throws caution aside. Paul was dominated by the love of God when he called out, "I am determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." This incautious attitude was based on perfect love and confidence in this Saviour. With that boldness Paul and his co-workers gained fame as being the ones who 'turned the world upside down." May the love of Christ constrain us so that we shall go forth today, seeking to turn our world God- side up. - Neff
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