12. Himself for thee. Christ also hath loved us,
Christ for Us my Father, and ye in Me''? For He implies that we do not yet know it, and that our present knowledge of this dwelling in Him is not knowledge at all compared with what He is going to show us about it.
How shall we, can we, reserve any corner of our — hearts from Him?
11. His Love for thee. Not a passive, possible love, but outflowing, yes, outpouring of the real, glowing, personal love of His mighty and tender heart. Love, not as an attribute, a quality, a latent force, but an acting, moving, reaching, touching, and grasping power. Love, not a cold, beautiful, far-off star, but a sunshine that comes and enfolds us, making us warm and glad, and strong and bright and fruitful.
His love! What manner of love is it? What should be quoted to prove or describe? First the whole
Bible with its mysteries and marvels of redemption, then the whole book of Providence and the whole volume of creation. Then add to these the unknown records of eternity past and the unknown glories of eternity to come. Then let the immeasurable quotation be sung by angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven, with all the harps of God, and still that love will be untold, still it will be the love of Christ that passeth knowledge.
But it is for thee!
12. Himself for thee. Christ also hath loved us, and given Himself for us. The Son of God... loved me, and gave Himself for me. Yes, Himself!
CHRIST FOR US
What is the Bride's true and central treasure? What calls forth the deepest, brightest, sweetest thrill of love and praise? Not the Bridegroom's priceless gifts, not the robe of His resplendent righteousness, not the dowry of unsearchable riches, not the magnificence of the palace home to which He is bringing her, not the glory which she shall share with Him, but HIMSELF! Jesus Christ, who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree; this same Jesus, whom having not seen, we love; the Son of God, and the Man of Sorrows; my Savior, my
Friend, my Master, my King, my Priest, my Lord and my God—HE says, ''/ also for thee!'' What an ''''! What power and sweetness we feel in it, so different from any human "'I,'' for all His Godhead and all His manhood are concentrated in it; and all for thee!
And not only all, but ever for thee! His unchangeableness is the seal upon every attribute; He will be this same Jesus forever. How can mortal mind estimate this enormous promise? How can mortal heart conceive what is enfolded in these words, "'I also for thee''?
One glimpse of its fullness and glory, and we feel that henceforth it must be, shall be, and by His grace will be our true-hearted, whole-hearted cry—
Take my self, and I will be Ever, ONLY, ALL for Thee!
R4S.5
About this book and author Frances Ridley Havergal was born in Astley, England in 1836, and began to read at age three and write poetry at seven. At age twenty, she spoke seven languages and had received recognition as an accomplished concert pianist.
She is best remembered as a writer of hymns, one of which, ~Take*my life? "became the basis of this book which she finished just before she died when she was only forty-three.
Jacket design: Quentin Fiore
KEATS PUBLISHING, INC.
New Canaan, Connecticut Printed in U.S.A.
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