(speaking of the Apostle Paul) He prescribes, that love should be maintained; he rebukes, because love is not maintained; he prays, that love may abound. O man! learn by his precept what you ought to have; learn by his rebuke that it is by your own fault that you have it not; learn by his prayer whence you may receive what you desire to have.
Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 AD, On Rebuke and Grace, Book I, Chapter 5 (translated by Peter Holmes and Rev. Robert Frost Wallis, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Volume V, Philip Schaff, T & T Clark and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1997, p. 473)
Why do we lack the love we should have? How do we obtain it?
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Good quote Mike. I think that God-like love involves sacrifice and death to our flesh. It is usually not seen and rarely one says thank you. To love someone takes a heart that has been slayed and molded by grace.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it is grace that breaks down our old self and enables us to love others. And it is only by breaking down our natural tendencies that this can take place.
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