Contemplation #52
Like humility, love for God is a virtue that has no extreme. We should have no moderation in love, but pursue love with complete abandon and without reservation. If we err in loving God, it is always that our supposed love for God is only a version of our love for ourselves. Instead, let us love only God, and all others, including ourselves, for His sake. There is no room for anything in love for God except God. Let our love for God be jealous of any other affection.

Contemplation #53
Deep affection for ourselves is the most natural state for us. To love God, whose immediate presence is unseen, seems unreasonable. To love God more than oneself appears to be reckless. To love only God, and not oneself at all, looks like madness. And yet, this is Christian love – the love spoken of and promised by our faith. Do not expect to understand it, unless you have experienced it. If you have not experienced it, simply ask for God to give it and trust the Spirit to teach you this love.

Contemplation #54
Christian love for God ultimately resides in the will, and yet becomes more than intentional choice. As love defines the very nature of God so that there is no aspect of God that is not love, our love for God fills and consumes us, and ultimately defines all of who we are. This change begins in the will and its choices, but spreads to the mind and its thoughts, the heart and its desires, the body and its actions, and throughout all we are. The love that is the nature of God will by grace become our nature as well. This is the will of God for us in Christ through the Spirit.