Years ago Dr. Mildred Wynkoop wrote a great book, called the “Theology of Love”. She observed the lives of some who claimed a high level of holiness, but whose lives and lack of love exposed what she called the credibility gap. Their actual living did not lend credibility to their profession. When love, which is the measure of sanctification, is not manifested in our lives, the pursuit of holiness may be spurned and mocked by those who see the gap. Others get past this to continue, and not abandon, the pursuit of the Divine likeness. The pursuit of the holy life is the pursuit of the Great Commandment. It is that or nothing.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” Mark 12:30-31 NRSV).
