Love may be regarded in two different conditions.
The first is, when its object is at a distance, and then it becomes love in a state of desire. Under the impulse of desire, man feels himself urged onward in some path or pursuit of activity for its gratification. The faculties of his mind are put into busy exercise.
The second is, when its object is in possession, and then it becomes love in a state of indulgence.
There are two ways in which to attempt to displace from the human heart its love of the world – either by a demonstration of the world’s vanity or by setting forth another object so that the heart might exchange an old affection for a new one.
The love of the world cannot be expunged by a mere demonstration of the world’s worthlessness. The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection, is by the expulsive power of a new affection.
The same revelation which dictates such a mighty an obedience as to not love the world places within our reach an equally mighty instrument of obedience. It places before the eye of our minds Christ who made the world. A love of the world can only be expelled by a greater love of God.
Source: Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847), ‘The Expulsive power of a new affection’
Andrew Groves 