Part 3
Note: I am continuing the series on God’s love. I am persuaded that the love of God’s love is the answer we need to the many things that face us. Some of you are facing some very deep problems. But we have a God with an even deeper love that wants to meet you right where you are.
—
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love…” and “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor 13:1;3)
Notice here in both instances Paul did not say those who “act in love” or those who “do loving things” but HAVE love. To me this is a very important distinction. In the previous verse it says that knowledge puffs up and love edifies. We can have a deep knowledge about God and His love and still not “have” it.
The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day surely knew a lot about God but many did not know Him personally. I can know a lot about a particular car. I can even join a car club and meet with other members to discuss its virtues. But if I do not own that car I cannot say that I “have it.” It’s not mine. I know about it but I don’t know it personally. The same is true with God’s love. We must know Him personally and intimately in order to have His love.
The Song of Solomon demonstrates this truth to us in wonderful ways. The book is about the Beloved (Jesus) and His developing relationship with the Shulamite (the Bride of Christ).
In Chapter one we find this confession of the Shulamite:
“They made me the keeper of the vineyards,But my own vineyard I have not kept.” (Song of Solomon 1:6)
She was forced to keep other vineyards but failed to keep her own. This can represent those in ministry that minister to others but do not maintain their own intimate walk with Jesus. The Shulamite lacked that personal cultivated relationship with the Beloved.
Even before she made that confession the Shulamite made a very important request. She said “Draw me away!” (Song of Solomon 1:4) This prayer set in motion the awakening of her spiritual state and the deep need for intimacy. In response to her desperate (perhaps passionate) request, Jesus came.
“The king has brought me into his chambers.” (Song of Solomon 1:4)
The King (Jesus) took her into His chambers and this started a deep relationship that would change her completely. In chapter 2 we find her saying:
“He brought me to the banqueting house,And his banner over me was love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)
Now His love is beginning to change the Shulamite. She recognizes that His banner over her is love and nothing else but love. The same will happen to us if we, like the Shulamite, say “Draw me away!” We can say that we are sick and tired of not knowing Him personally. We can say that we no longer will be the keeper of the vineyards and yet neglect our own. This is the only way to truly “have” love.
The Beloved continued to respond to her request to be drawn away.
“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret places of the cliff,
Let me see your face,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your face is lovely.” (Song of Solomon 2:14)
What follows is a journey where the two come to know one other in a very deep way. Take note of three confessions of the Shulamite. A wonderful man of God named Wade Taylor Ministries / Parousia Ministries made these confessions available to me through his book The Secret of the Stairs. The reveal how she went from self-centered to being consumed by the Beloved’s love.
1. “My beloved is mine, and I am his.He feeds his flock among the lilies.” (2:16)
2. “I am my beloved’s,And my beloved is mine.” (6:3)
3. “I am my beloved’s,And his desire is toward me.” (7:10)
She went from her first to Him second. Then she went from Him first and her second. Finally, she was completely consumed by His love. This is what “having” love looks like. We go from being self-focused to being completely consumed by His love. That is why one of her last confessions/prayers tells us a whole lot:
“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.” (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Now she finally has love. She knows first hand the fiery, passionate love of Jesus. Do you want to know this love experientially? Are you sick of tending the garden of others and sorely neglecting your own? The Shulamite has led the way for us – just say “Draw me away!” He will respond by taking you into His chambers and then into the cleft of the rock. Before you realize it you will not only have love – it will have you!
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Posted: February 5, 2025 by I am a VOICE Ministries
Love. To Have Love
Part 3
Note: I am continuing the series on God’s love. I am persuaded that the love of God’s love is the answer we need to the many things that face us. Some of you are facing some very deep problems. But we have a God with an even deeper love that wants to meet you right where you are.
—
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love…” and “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor 13:1;3)
Notice here in both instances Paul did not say those who “act in love” or those who “do loving things” but HAVE love. To me this is a very important distinction. In the previous verse it says that knowledge puffs up and love edifies. We can have a deep knowledge about God and His love and still not “have” it.
The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day surely knew a lot about God but many did not know Him personally. I can know a lot about a particular car. I can even join a car club and meet with other members to discuss its virtues. But if I do not own that car I cannot say that I “have it.” It’s not mine. I know about it but I don’t know it personally. The same is true with God’s love. We must know Him personally and intimately in order to have His love.
The Song of Solomon demonstrates this truth to us in wonderful ways. The book is about the Beloved (Jesus) and His developing relationship with the Shulamite (the Bride of Christ).
In Chapter one we find this confession of the Shulamite:
“They made me the keeper of the vineyards,But my own vineyard I have not kept.” (Song of Solomon 1:6)
She was forced to keep other vineyards but failed to keep her own. This can represent those in ministry that minister to others but do not maintain their own intimate walk with Jesus. The Shulamite lacked that personal cultivated relationship with the Beloved.
Even before she made that confession the Shulamite made a very important request. She said “Draw me away!” (Song of Solomon 1:4) This prayer set in motion the awakening of her spiritual state and the deep need for intimacy. In response to her desperate (perhaps passionate) request, Jesus came.
“The king has brought me into his chambers.” (Song of Solomon 1:4)
The King (Jesus) took her into His chambers and this started a deep relationship that would change her completely. In chapter 2 we find her saying:
“He brought me to the banqueting house,And his banner over me was love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)
Now His love is beginning to change the Shulamite. She recognizes that His banner over her is love and nothing else but love. The same will happen to us if we, like the Shulamite, say “Draw me away!” We can say that we are sick and tired of not knowing Him personally. We can say that we no longer will be the keeper of the vineyards and yet neglect our own. This is the only way to truly “have” love.
The Beloved continued to respond to her request to be drawn away.
“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret places of the cliff,
Let me see your face,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your face is lovely.” (Song of Solomon 2:14)
What follows is a journey where the two come to know one other in a very deep way. Take note of three confessions of the Shulamite. A wonderful man of God named Wade Taylor Ministries / Parousia Ministries made these confessions available to me through his book The Secret of the Stairs. The reveal how she went from self-centered to being consumed by the Beloved’s love.
1. “My beloved is mine, and I am his.He feeds his flock among the lilies.” (2:16)
2. “I am my beloved’s,And my beloved is mine.” (6:3)
3. “I am my beloved’s,And his desire is toward me.” (7:10)
She went from her first to Him second. Then she went from Him first and her second. Finally, she was completely consumed by His love. This is what “having” love looks like. We go from being self-focused to being completely consumed by His love. That is why one of her last confessions/prayers tells us a whole lot:
“Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.” (Song of Solomon 8:6)
Now she finally has love. She knows first hand the fiery, passionate love of Jesus. Do you want to know this love experientially? Are you sick of tending the garden of others and sorely neglecting your own? The Shulamite has led the way for us – just say “Draw me away!” He will respond by taking you into His chambers and then into the cleft of the rock. Before you realize it you will not only have love – it will have you!
Category: The Love of God Tags: love, Song of Solomon
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