The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!
— Luke 18:11 (NLT)
In the story of the pharisee and the tax collector, what was the pharisee doing? He was reveling in his own spiritual beauty and making sure that God noticed! He was bragging about what he had done “for God”. He had spiritual beauty that was the absolute best, but that is not what triggers God’s love.
Eros believes that we must activate the love of God. However, there is no trigger to get God’s love. His love is poured out on you because you are breathing, even after this life, you still exist and are still very much loved.
We look at others and think God loves them more because . . . they are patient, they don’t have an explosive temper, they fast, they pray, they give to others, they go to church, they do and do, way more then me! Surely, God loves them more.
God is not looking for us to dress ourselves up, beautify ourselves spiritually or make ourselves better in order to be loved. That is through the filter of eros love. God views us through Himself, Agape.
When I use eros as my frame of reference, I am inclined to reject God’s everlasting love because we consider ourselves not good enough. But God is calling out and saying, ”you are the apple of my eye. I love you and want you to believe in and accept my love.”
You do not have to put on spiritual beauty to be loved by God. He just loves you – period!! He wants you to revel in being the object of His love, bask in His love for you. It is there for the taking.
“Because you exist, therefore you are loved.”
Remove Your Filter