Agape, a love that seeks nothing in return.

But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked. So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these]. Luke 6:35

The love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

This is the purpose of the pause. The rest. The quiet.

Wallowing in His truth, what is true, and giving it time to sink down deeply into the joints and marrow.

When do you close your bedroom door and say, “I have peace with You, God?” Peace He has given us. Not as the world gives peace I give you peace. Face to face intimacy with Him, dying so that you might have life. The gospel is good tidings of great joy to all people. You are in.

It is not about us. But so that we can be made like Him, in His image. What a delight to be free from ourselves. We have issues and judgments and accusations and boundaries. But the One that we follow had no boundaries. Just as He died, all have died. He died for all that those of us who have received life, should no longer live for themselves but for Him. From now on we regard no one according to the flesh, in spite of how they are acting. I am not judging them according to the flesh, but their accorded value, the payment of God’s beloved Son. –Dan Mohler

And Bonhoeffer reminds us that Jesus prays for his tormentors, imperfect tense, while the iron spikes were being driven through his hands and feet, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” If the cruel torture of crucifixion could not silence our Lord’s prayer for His enemies, what pain, pride, prejudice or sloth could silence ours?”

Divine love is indiscriminate love, shown equally to good men and bad, and we are not to judge who is who, but to love, even as He first loved us.

And this is the good news of great joy that begins even now, a new song.

Free, free at last. Thank God Almighty I am free at last. 

Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things. Psalm 98:1