Have you ever thought about how much God loves you? In this world that we live in, love is defined in many ways. It usually takes on the definition of our own experience of love. Depending upon the circumstances of our upbringing, the idea of love takes on many shapes and sizes; many different kinds of faces—some good but unfortunately many not so good. Through our experiences we have learned to love, or refuse to love. We have learned to weigh the risk of love and in turn choose to keep others at arm’s length so as to not get hurt again. For this reason, so many fail to enjoy the beauty of love as God has designed it.
Consider God’s love. In contrast to the tragic display of human love, God’s love shines with such purity that it transcends our ability to comprehend it. In the Bible we read of God’s kind of love.
“[Love] suffereth long, and is kind; [love] envieth not [ill will towards others]; [love does not parade] itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself [rudely], seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil [or keeps no inventory of wrongs]; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [Love] never faileth:”—1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
God’s kind of love is a love of sacrifice which gives us pause as we struggle to wrap our minds around it. Dr. Allen Griffith, defines God’s love as “the value placed on someone which determines the sacrifice you will make for them.” This definition of love seems out-of-this-world kind of love—because it is! It is a heavenly love that was displayed in the most amazing way.
God’s Passion—Sinners
Consider God’s unwavering passion for His Creation as He modeled His love by giving the greatest Gift that could ever be given. He gave His Son.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [the atoning sacrifice] for our sins.”—1 John 4:9-10
This kind of passion seems a bit over the top until you consider our problem.
Man’s Problem—Sin
There is no need for God to express His love in such an extravagant way unless there is a genuine need.
“There is none righteous, no not one. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”—Romans 3:10, 23
“There is none righteous”—this may seem a little extreme in light of all the good that we see some people doing. But truth be told, we “come short of the glory of God” when we fail to meet His standard of righteousness.
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”—James 2:10
Simply breaking one of God’s rules one time find us guilty. In our guilty state we are found unrighteous before a holy and righteous God. This isn’t a big deal from most people’s perspective until we consider the consequence.
Sin’s Penalty—Separation (Death)
“For the wages of sin is death.”—Romans 6:23a
The consequence of sin is severe. A “wage” is something earned. Because each of us sin, we earn death which is separation from God for all of eternity in the torment of hell.
God’s Provision—A Savior
God, in His great love, provided a way for sinful man to not have to endure sin’s penalty for all of eternity. He provided a Savior to save us from the penalty of our sins against Him.
“For the wages of sin is death, BUT the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”—Romans 6:23
“But God [demonstrated] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”—Romans 5:8
God proved His amazing love for us as “Christ died for us,” He was buried, and rose again victorious over death. On the cross He paid for all of your sins.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”—John 3:16
This is a statement of God’s sacrificial love. This is a statement of God’s love for us as He didn’t give us what we wanted most but instead He gave us what we needed. He looked beyond our selfish desires, knowing us well enough to know our greatest need. He then moved heaven and earth to provide for that need as He gave us a Savior. God didn’t hold anything back! He loves us so much that He gave His most prized and precious Gift. He gave His Priceless Son for us. This is the degree to which the Father loves us—“He SOOO loved the world.” It is a transcendent kind of love—a love without measure and without end. This love knows no bounds. It is love that is unceasing—love that keeps on giving. A love that gives its best and holds nothing back. This is the love of the Father. He loves us SOOO much!
God’s Promise—Salvation
A provision for the penalty of our sin has been made. Yet, as it is with any gift, that gift must be received in order to enjoy the blessings of it. God has followed up His provision with a promise.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”—Romans 10:13
“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.”—2 Peter 3:9
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”—John 1:12
So how do we receive this Gift that God has so freely given to us? How can we enjoy this amazing love of God?
ADMIT that you are a sinner: Admit that you have failed to live up to God’s righteous standard and therefore are deserving of the penalty of your sin which is eternal separation from God in hell. Admit that you are incapable being “good enough” to save yourself and go to heaven.
BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ: Believe that Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Take Jesus at His word and believe it to be true for you.
CALL on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you: Trust in Jesus ALONE for your salvation and simply call upon Him to save you from the penalty of your sin. God tells us in the Bible, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9, 13).
Your Choice: The reality is that a person has a choice to make. You can receive this Gift of God’s love or reject it. For those who receive this Gift of God’s love can enjoy its blessings. For those who reject God’s love will receive their wish for all of eternity. God in His perfect love doesn’t force His subjects to reciprocate this love. To those who reject His love He gives those He loves their desire. To reject God’s love is to choose to be separated from Him for all eternity in the torment of hell.
Will you choose to admit that you are a sinner; believe that Jesus is the only way of salvation; then call upon Him to save you from your sin? Will you choose to receive and enjoy God’s love?
If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email: pastor@pibcny.com.
