As a result of the Fall

“But though all men are required to so love the Lord their God, none in his natural condition is able to do so. Not that he lacks the necessary faculties, but because sin is in full possession of every part of his complex being, and therefore he is “alienated from God.” As a result of the Fall every descendant of Adam is born into this world destitute of the slightest affection for God. To the religious Pharisees Christ said, “But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you” (John 5:42).

“If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

Where is the man or woman who does not love the world until a miracle of grace is wrought within, and the bent and bias of the heart are changed? Not only is the heart of the natural man devoid of any love to God; it has a radical aversion to Him, for “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7). That was unmistakably demonstrated when the Son of God became incarnate, for far from being welcomed and adored, He was hated “without a cause” (John 15:25).

Where there is genuine love to God in anyone, that person has been made the subject of a miracle of grace. At regeneration the blessed Spirit slays our native enmity against God, and sheds abroad His love in our heart. A principle of life, of grace, of holiness, is communicated to the soul. There is

“given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true” (1 John 5:20).

A personal revelation of God is made to the one born again, so that He

“hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

The film of prejudice is removed, the mist of error is dispersed, and the soul perceives the majesty, the excellence, the loveliness of the divine character, and exclaims,

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11).

Such a discovery and view of God draws out the heart to Him so that He is now its supreme delight.

“The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:14).

Those two graces of faith and love always go together, being implanted at one and the same time by one and the same hand.” ~ A. W. Pink