No sooner do we believe that God loves us than there is an…
““No sooner do we believe that God loves us than there is an impulse to believe that He does so, not because He is Love, but because we are intrinsically lovable. The Pagans obeyed this impulse unabashed; a good man was "dear to the gods" because he was good. We, being better taught, resort to subterfuge. Far be it from us to think that we have virtues for which God could love us. But then, how magnificently we have repented! As Bunyan says, describing his first and illusory conversion, "I thought there was no man in England that pleased God better than I." Beaten out of this, we next offer our own humility to God's admiration. Surely He'll like that ? Or if not that, our clear-sighted and humble recognition that we still lack humility. Thus, depth beneath depth and subtlety within subtelty, there remains some lingering idea of our own, our very own attractiveness. It is easy to acknowledge, but almost impossible to realize for long, that we are mirrors whose brightness, if we are bright, is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us. Surely we must have a little--however little--native luminosity? Surely we can't be quite creatures? - The Four Loves ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage explores how humans often attribute divine love to their own worthiness, confusing self‑esteem with true humility, and recognizing that any goodness is reflected from a higher source.
In simple terms: We mistake self‑love for God's love, forgetting humility.
Key Takeaway
Recognize true humility and source of goodness.
Themes
humility
self‑worth
spirituality
reflection
Mood
contemplative
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
spiritual
literary
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- confessional writing
- spiritual counseling
- ethical teaching
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
ego
mirroring
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we truly see ourselves as mirrors?
- How can humility be practiced without self‑deprecation?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the complexity of divine grace and human psychology.