The Love of God
Recently we noticed the importance of the grace of God and how that no one could be saved except for that grace. This week we will deal with another aspect of God that we should never overlook and that is the love of God. There are three things of which everyone should be aware concerning the love of God that will bring us to a deeper appreciation of our Maker. First, the love of God has made it possible for us to be redeemed. The concept of redemption arises from the fact that something is lost. The thing, in this case, that is lost is a soul. When one transgresses God’s laws he becomes separated from God. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (First John 3:4) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. (Romans 3:23) Because of the transgressions of man it became necessary for a sacrifice to be made on his behalf that would satisfy the justice of God; that sacrifice was the Son of God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) The love of God provided the cost of redemption and paved the way for man to be reconciled to God. Second, the love of God seeks after those who are lost. Jesus taught us that a good shepherd will go after a lost sheep. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” (Luke 15:4-7) God not only provided a way for man to be redeemed but He provided instructions for those who have been redeemed to help find others who are lost. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20) If God had not provided instructions for us to seek the lost then He would have been leaving it up to the lost sheep to find their own way. The love of God would never allow that to happen! Third, the love of God has given us an opportunity to return to God. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (Second Peter 3:9) Sometimes people look around at the world and wonder why God hasn’t destroyed it. Wickedness resulted in the death of all living creatures except those in the ark in the days of Noah. So what is preventing God from destroying the world now? The answer is the love of God. God is giving the lost ample opportunity to repent of their wickedness. But don’t confuse the long suffering of God with a refusal to punish the wicked. God has appointed a day in which the world will be judged. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30:31) Judgment has been delayed because of the love of God! Love oftentimes is taken for granted. We assume that the sun will rise tomorrow but one day that will not be the case. It is true that the love of God will always be there, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:28-29), but the opportunity to repent will one day be lost. “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (Second Thessalonians 1:7-10) Don’t miss your opportunity to take advantage of the love of God. -Pete Ward Comments are closed.
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