“IT is a great thing to have developed affections.
Some are much more demonstrative than others, but it is not merely this, but the development of the affections themselves within, by what is in the object of them. Still, it comes to my mind that it is a great thing to have concentrated affections. Christ forming them, so that in having Him in our hearts we may know what is in His, and what a blessing that is. Concentrated means practically, personal, so that I get at His heart, and know what is there, and that there is that personal affection there. As regards this, there is the sense that we belong to Him, but then there is development, the sense of what the exercise of that affection toward us is; interest in our circumstances; thoughtfulness for us; bearing our sins and drinking that dreadful cup; even making us part of His own happiness in glory; summed up in knowing Him in what His affections are, but then how infinite in this case this development is. And after all He loves us personally; but He loves us perfectly in this, that whatever He enjoys He brings us into the enjoyment of.... We must know Him to know what His love is, and it will suffice forever. But this joy in His love, which is to us known to be unchangeable, is by the Holy Ghost, and we are dependent on grace for it, so that it will be connected with all our life here.” J. N. D.
“We love Thee for the glorious worth
Which in Thyself we see:
We love Thee for that shameful cross,
Endured so patiently.”