Starts in His Heart

It is not a question of what you are, but of a portion that has flowed to you from the Father. You may find your dearest relations turning from you, as those whom the Father has given to Christ out of the world. The Lord said, "The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." The world cannot understand that principle in you-a certain affection in the heart of God that found its expression in the Son. We find those whom God has given to Him so connected with Him that the love wherewith He is loved is in them, and they are able to walk in the power of His life unto His praise and glory as dear children.
Neither you nor I can say that we love God with all our hearts and souls, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Not that we loved Him, but He loved us. If I begin with self, there is nothing but ruin. Is there anything to be gotten out of the ruin, any want felt there for God? Impossible that there could be. Well then, "Herein is love," God says, and it is not your love to Him, but His to you. Turn your eye to Christ to see how God loves you, so much that He gave His Son for you.