Deeper Life #43

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

—2 Corinthians 4:7

THE UTMOST FOR THE HIGHEST” was the motto of that great artist G. F. Watts. My utmost for His highest in actual life, as depicted by Paul, involves loving attitudes and holy actions on our part when there are not ideal conditions in our lives. Through these attitudes and actions, we seek to carry out the ideals of our heavenly Father.

The highest Christian love is not devotion to a certain work or cause of God, but to Him. Causes and works are good, but love for them will fail us. Our Lord was viewed as erratic because He did not identify Himself with the cause of the Pharisees or with the Zealots. Instead He laid down His life as the servant of His Father.

Thank God, we have opportunities of identifying ourselves with our Lord’s interests in other people, by manifesting the love that never fails. That love “suffereth long, and is kind; [love] envieth not; [love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). Love never fails.

Prayer Thought: God of love, help me to exhibit love in all I say and do.

SUGGESTED READING: 2 Corinthians 4:7–11