God's Love!

God’s love has been powerfully displayed and graciously expressed. Out of love for lost humanity He sent His son to provide the means of eternal life. ( John 3:16) The graciousness of God’s love is revealed in the fact “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ( Romans 5:8) In fact, God is the One Who first got this thing called love going. ( 1 John 4:19) If God could be summed up in a word, love would be a good one, as John stated, “God is love.” ( 1 John 4:8) Where would we be if it were not for the love of God?

There are many who like to focus on the love of God as if that were the only characteristic of His Being. Certainly the love of God ought to encourage us and powerfully compel us to draw near to Him with a desire to please Him. One powerful influence of love is that of driving out fear ( 1 John 4:18) and God has revealed His Will to us so that we can approach the day of judgment with confidence. ( 1 John 4:17) However, the truth there is such a day reveals that though God loves very freely and graciously, He expects His Will to be taken seriously. If, as some suppose, God in His love would punish no one, why has God continually warned through His Word of the need for preparation and repentance?

After Jude warned of judgment on false teachers and on those who indulged in sexual immorality and the fact God would execute judgment on all the ungodly, convicting them of their ungodly deeds, He exhorted…

“(20) But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; (21) KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” ( Jude 20-21 ESV)

The urging to REMAIN IN the love of God implies His love can be departed from. That in itself is a warning to not take the love of God for granted or take it as freedom to do whatever we please. God’s love is more powerful than our sins. However, just as Paul asked, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” and then emphatically stated, “By no means!” ( Romans 6:1-2) -- for us to not strive to please God is to have a lack of appreciation for His love.

John noted…
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and WHOEVER ABIDES IN LOVE ABIDES IN GOD, AND GOD ABIDES IN HIM.” ( 1 John 4:16 ESV)

Have we truly come to know and believe the love of God? Do we genuinely appreciate the salvation God has lovingly provided? Then let us live in a manner that clearly declares we do! REMAINING IN His love we have a future of which we can live in eager anticipation because, through the loving provision of the Son Jesus Christ, we have been delivered from the wrath of God. ( 1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Have a great day ENCOURAGED BY THE TRUTH OF GOD’S LOVE!
Carl

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