{"id":36163,"date":"2019-03-29T13:16:23","date_gmt":"2019-03-29T19:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=36163"},"modified":"2019-03-30T14:59:10","modified_gmt":"2019-03-30T20:59:10","slug":"loving-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/loving-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Loving Jesus","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-36165 \" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"590\" height=\"590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/LovingJesus3.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>FRANKLY<\/strong>, I feel unworthy of writing on the present subject, as one who has loved the Lord so poorly. Everyday I set out to love Him, but by the time I enter an examination of conscience, I find that I have loved myself more. And the words of St. Paul become my own:<!--more--><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;\">I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate&#8230; For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do&#8230; Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Rom 7:15-19, 24)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Paul answers:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;\">Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (vs. 25)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Indeed, Scripture says that <em>&#8220;If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">1 John 1:9<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> The Sacrament of Reconciliation becomes the bridge over which we cross again into the arms of Jesus, into the arms of our Father.<\/p>\n<p>But then, don&#8217;t we find that sometimes, just mere hours later, we have stumbled again? An impatient moment, a curt word, a lustful glance, a selfish action and so forth. And at once we are saddened. &#8220;I have failed to love you <em>again<\/em>, Lord, <em>&#8216;with all my heart, soul, strength, mind, and understanding.'&#8221;<\/em> And the &#8216;accuser of the brethren&#8217; comes, Satan, our infernal enemy, and he damns and he damns and he damns. And I feel I should believe him because I look in the mirror and see the evidence. I am guilty\u2014and so easily at that. &#8220;No, I have not loved you as I should Lord. For You yourself said, &#8216;<em>If you love me, you will keep my commandments.&#8217;<\/em>\u00a0<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">John 14:15<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/121752299?color=ffffff\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>And the circle continues. What now?<\/p>\n<p>The answer is this: <em>you and I are loving Jesus when we begin again<\/em>&#8230; and again, and again, and again. If Christ forgives you &#8220;seventy times seven&#8221; times, it is because you, of your own free will, have returned to Him &#8220;seventy times seven&#8221; times. That&#8217;s hundreds of little acts of love that say to God over and over again, &#8220;Here I am again, Lord, because I want to love you, despite myself&#8230; Yes Lord, <em>You know that I love you.<\/em>&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>GOD&#8217;S LOVE IS CONSTANT<\/p>\n<p>Hasn&#8217;t God proven His unconditional love for us in that<em> &#8220;while we were still sinners Christ died for us&#8221;?\u00a0<\/em><span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Rom 5:8<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> So, this is not a question of whether He still loves you or me, but whether we love Him. &#8220;But I fall short <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-30620\" style=\"margin: 1px 2px 1px 2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"338\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/crosssacrifice.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 338px) 100vw, 338px\" \/>every day, and sometimes several times a day! I must not love Him!&#8221; Is that true?<\/p>\n<p>God knows that\u00a0<i>every single human being,\u00a0<\/i>because of the wound of original sin, bears within their flesh an inclination toward sin called concupiscence. St. Paul calls it the <em>&#8220;law of sin which dwells in my members,&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Rom 7:23<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> a strong pull toward the senses, appetites and passions, toward earthly and sensual pleasure. Now, on the one hand, no matter how strong you feel these inclinations, they do not mean that you love God less. Temptation, no matter how intense, is not sin. So, the first thing is to say, &#8220;Okay, I feel an intense desire to punch this person&#8230; or surf pornography&#8230; or medicate my hurt with alcohol&#8230;&#8221; or whatever temptation it may be. But those passions are not, in themselves, sins. Only when we act upon them.<\/p>\n<p>But what if we do?<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s be clear. Some sins\u00a0<em>are\u00a0<\/em>a way of totally and entirely\u00a0<em>not\u00a0<\/em>loving God. &#8220;Mortal&#8221; or &#8220;grave&#8221; sin is, in fact, a complete repudiation of God&#8217;s love for you such that you cut yourself off entirely from His grace. <em>&#8220;Those who do such things,<\/em>&#8221; taught St. Paul, <em>&#8220;shall not inherit the kingdom of God.&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Gal 5:21<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> So, if you are involved in such sin, you must do more than go to Confession, which is the beginning; you&#8217;ve got to do everything you can to uproot and completely abandon those sins, even if that means entering an addiction program, seeing a counsellor, or breaking off certain relationships.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>THE UNBROKEN FRIENDSHIP\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But what of sin that is not grave, or what is called &#8220;venial&#8221; sin? St. Thomas Aquinas noted that God&#8217;s grace is needed to heal our nature, and it can do so in &#8220;the mind&#8221;\u2014which is the seat of our will. As St. Paul said, <em>&#8220;Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_6');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_6');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_6\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Rom 12:2<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> However, the carnal part of us, the flesh&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>&#8230;is not completely healed. Hence the Apostle says of the person healed by grace, &#8216;I serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.&#8217; In this state a person can avoid mortal sin&#8230; but he cannot avoid all venial sin, due to the corruption of his sensual appetite.<\/strong> \u2014St. Thomas Aquinas,\u00a0<em>Summa\u00a0<\/em><i>theologiae,\u00a0<\/i>I-II, q. 109, a. 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>So, how is it possible to love God if we still fall into our old habits and stumble in our weaknesses? The Catechism states:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif; color: #000080;\"><strong>Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not break the covenant with God. With God\u2019s grace it is humanly reparable. \u201cVenial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness.\u201d<\/strong> <\/span>\u2014<em>Catechism of the Catholic Church, <\/em>n. 1863<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Is it just me, or does that teaching bring a smile across your face too? Did Jesus abandon His Apostles when they repeatedly behaved &#8220;in the flesh,&#8221; bickered, or displayed little faith? On the contrary:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;\">No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends&#8230; (John 15:15)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Friendship with Jesus is &#8220;knowing&#8221; what He wants of us, of His plan for you and the world, and then becoming a part of that plan. So friendship with Christ is indeed to do what he commands us: <em>&#8220;You are my friends if you do what I command you.&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_7');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_36163_1('footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_7');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[7]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_7\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">John 15:14<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_36163_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> But if we fall into venial sin, He <em>also\u00a0<\/em>commands us<em>:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;\">Confess your sins to one another&#8230; (James 5:16)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;\">&#8230;[for]\u00a0he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A CLOSING WORD ON TEMPTATION<\/p>\n<p>Last, do you not prove to God your love precisely when you are so ruthlessly tempted&#8230; and yet, hold fast? I have been teaching myself in those moments 0f trial to change my thinking, to not saying, &#8220;I must not sin!&#8221; to rather\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-34607\" style=\"margin: 2px 5px 2px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross-1024x686.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"374\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross-1024x686.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross-1536x1028.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross-300x201.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross-768x514.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross-272x182.jpeg 272w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/surrenderingcross.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/>&#8220;Jesus, let me <em>prove<\/em> my love for You!&#8221; What a difference it makes to change the frame of reference into one of love! Indeed, God\u00a0<em>allows\u00a0<\/em>these trials precisely for us to prove our love for Him while at the same time strengthening and purifying our character.\u00a0<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Since [concupiscence] is left to provide a trial, it has no power to injure those who do not consent and who, by the grace of Christ Jesus, manfully resist.<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014Council of Trent,\u00a0<i>De\u00a0peccato originali,\u00a0<\/i>can. 5<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;\">Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing&#8230;\u00a0Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:2, 12)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>God loves you, and He knows you love Him. Not because you are perfect, but because you desire to be.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">RELATED READING<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/2016\/02\/28\/of-desire\/\"><em>Of Desire<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><b>Your financial support and prayers are why<br \/>\nyou are reading this today.<br \/>\n\u00a0Bless you and thank you.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/donations\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Donateovalbtnonbeige.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"48\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">To journey with Mark in\u00a0<strong><em>The <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Now Word<\/strong><\/em>,<em><br \/>\n<\/em>click on the banner below to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\">subscribe<\/a>. <br \/>\nYour email will not be shared with anyone.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-300x98.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-768x250.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\">\n<div data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\"><span data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\"><span data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">My writings are being translated into <strong>French<\/strong>! (Merci Philippe B.!)<\/span><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Pour lire mes \u00e9crits en fran\u00e7ais, cliquez sur le drapeau:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pierre-et-les-loups.net\/Mark-Mallett\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-36181\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"272\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\"><span data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"97ehe-0-0\">\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"97ehe-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_36163_1();\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_36163_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_36163_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_36163_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_36163_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_1');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">1 John 1:9<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_36163_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_2');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">John 14:15<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_36163_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_3');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Rom 5:8<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_36163_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_4');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Rom 7:23<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_36163_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_5');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Gal 5:21<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_36163_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_36163_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_36163_1_6');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>6<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Rom 12:2<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr 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And the words of St. Paul become my own:<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-journal","category-faith-and-morals"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Loving Jesus - The Now Word<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/loving-jesus\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Loving Jesus - The Now Word\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; FRANKLY, I feel unworthy of writing on the present subject, as one who has loved the Lord so poorly. 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