Title: 13
Author: Joe G
Last saved by: Auth User
Company: GDC

© 2005 Joe Griffin		05-08-07-B.CC02-484 /

Edification Complex of the Soul: 2d Floor; 3d Floor: Personal Love for God: Motivational Virtues of Worship & Confidence; Virtuous & Virtue-Dependent Love

(13)	Although the Shulammite and the Shepherd had great passion and desire for each other they did not engage in sexual liaisons.
(14)	They evaluated themselves objectively and recognized that they were human beings with sinful natures whose lust patterns would entice them to commit sexual sins. 
(15)	But with the inner virtue of humility they submitted to the leadership found in the Word of God.  Although they permitted their imaginations to anticipate and contemplate that future occasion in matrimony they did not allow their bodies to control their souls.
(16)	They recognize that they do not need sexual experience but rather the experience of seeing the grace of God lead them to a perfect time and moment when they can express their souls’ integrity in a physical ritual that is totally legitimate and meaningful.
(16)	This is the virtue of inner integrity that displays itself to the outside world as honor.  The Shulammite Woman’s name bespoke of these virtues and the Daughters of Jerusalem described them as the finest of ointments pouring out from her soul.
(17)	Solomon’s virgins were thus taken with the integrity of the Shulammite and were so impressed that they expressed their admiration by using one of the Hebrew words for love:
SOS 1:3a -	[DJ] “Because of the savor of your good ointments your name [ your reputation: virtues of integrity, humility, & honor ] is as ointment poured forth, therefore, we the virgins love you [ bh^a* ’ahav: an expression of admiration: love of a person’s character ].”
7.	3rd Floor: Personal Love for God: Motivational Virtue: There are sets of virtues that define our relationship with God on the one hand and with man and circumstances on the other.  Personal love for God is a virtue that is developed by spiritual growth.  You cannot love someone you do not know.  The only way to love God is to come to know Him by the study of His grace communication to us through the Bible.  As we come to know Him our capacity to love Him increases and develops the virtue of reciprocity, or personal love for God.
(1)	For love to have virtue it must be dependent upon the integrity of the one whose character is being emphasized.  Personal love emphasizes the character of the object while unconditional love emphasizes the character of the subject.
(2)	Therefore when we love others personally it can have no virtue since the character of any human being is flawed by the presence of the sinful nature.
(3)	Therefore, when we love another person personally it has no virtue since it is dependent upon the character of another.  Eventually that person will fail and personal love is diminished or destroyed.
(4)	However, when the believer directs personal love toward God it has virtue since the character of God is perfect.
(5)	Since God can be depended upon to remain perfect and therefore trustworthy then the believer’s personal love for God is never diminished.
(6)	This form of virtue love is invisible and motivational and includes worship and confidence which are expressions of one’s personal love for God.
(7)	The motivational virtues are defined in Scripture:
John 4:23 -		[ worship ]   “An hour is coming, and now is imminent, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit [ filling of the Holy Spirit ] and in truth [ reciprocity from epignōsis doctrine in the soul ]; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
v. 24 -	“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth [ the two power options: (1) filling of the Holy Spirit & (2) spiritual growth ].”
Joshua 1:7 -	[ confidence ]  “Only be confident and courageous.  Perform extraordinary diligence to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you.  Do not turn from the wheel-tracks of righteousness to the right into legalism or to the left into licentiousness, so that you may act wisely wherever you go.”
1 Peter 1:8 -	[ Personal Love ]  Even though you do not see Him [ empiricism fails to bring us to God ] you love Him [ personally ], and though you do not see Him now but believe in Him [ faith perception ] you greatly rejoice with happiness inexpressible and full of glory.

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