{"id":1729,"date":"2018-05-04T15:47:08","date_gmt":"2018-05-04T19:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/?page_id=1729"},"modified":"2018-05-04T15:47:08","modified_gmt":"2018-05-04T19:47:08","slug":"god-loves-you","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/god-loves-you\/","title":{"rendered":"God Loves You!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Have you ever thought about how much God loves you? In this world that we live in,\u00a0love<\/em> 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<\/em> takes on many shapes and sizes; many different kinds of faces\u2014some 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Consider God\u2019s love.<\/strong> In contrast to the tragic display of human love, God\u2019s love shines with such purity that it transcends our ability to comprehend it. In the Bible we read of God\u2019s kind of love.<\/p>\n

\u201c[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:\u201d\u20141 Corinthians 13:4-8a<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

God\u2019s 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\u2019s love as \u201cthe value placed on someone which determines the sacrifice you will make for them<\/em>.\u201d This definition of love seems out-of-this-world kind of love\u2014because it is! It is a heavenly love that was displayed in the most amazing way.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Passion\u2014Sinners<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consider God\u2019s unwavering passion for His Creation as He modeled His love by giving the greatest Gift that could ever be given. He gave His Son.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor God<\/strong> so loved the world, that He<\/strong> gave His<\/strong> only begotten Son<\/strong> [Jesus], that whosoever believeth in Him<\/strong>, should not perish but have everlasting life.\u201d\u2014John 3:16<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIn this was manifested the love of God<\/strong> toward us, because that God<\/strong> sent His<\/strong> only begotten Son<\/strong> into the world, that we might live through Him<\/strong>. Herein is love, not that we loved God<\/strong>, but that He<\/strong> loved us, and sent His Son <\/strong>to be the propitiation [the atoning sacrifice] for our sins.\u201d\u20141 John 4:9-10<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

This kind of passion seems a bit over the top until you consider our problem.<\/p>\n

Man\u2019s Problem\u2014Sin<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no need for God to express His love in such an extravagant way unless there is a genuine need.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is none righteous, no not one. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.\u201d\u2014Romans 3:10, 23<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is none righteous<\/em>\u201d\u2014this may seem a little extreme in light of all the good that we see some people doing. But truth be told, we \u201ccome short of the glory of God<\/em>\u201d when we fail to meet His standard of righteousness.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.\u201d\u2014James 2:10<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Simply breaking one of God\u2019s rules one time find us guilty. In our guilty state we are found unrighteous before a holy and righteous God. This isn\u2019t a big deal from most people\u2019s perspective until we consider the consequence.<\/p>\n

Sin\u2019s Penalty\u2014Separation (Death)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the wages of sin is death.\u201d\u2014Romans 6:23a<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The consequence of sin is severe. A \u201cwage<\/em>\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Provision\u2014A Savior<\/strong><\/p>\n

God, in His great love, provided a way for sinful man to not have to endure sin\u2019s penalty for all of eternity. He provided a Savior to save us from the penalty of our sins against Him.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the wages of sin is death, BUT the Gift<\/strong> of God<\/strong> is eternal life through Jesus Christ<\/strong> our Lord<\/strong>.\u201d\u2014Romans 6:23<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut God<\/strong> [demonstrated] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ<\/strong> died for us.\u201d\u2014Romans 5:8<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

God proved His amazing love for us as \u201cChrist<\/em><\/strong> died for us<\/em>,\u201d He was buried, and rose again victorious over death. On the cross He paid for all of your sins.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor God<\/strong> so loved the world, that He<\/strong> gave His<\/strong> only begotten Son<\/strong> [Jesus], that whosoever believeth in Him<\/strong>, should not perish but have everlasting life.\u201d\u2014John 3:16<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

This is a statement of God\u2019s sacrificial love. This is a statement of God\u2019s love for us as He didn\u2019t 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.\u00a0God didn\u2019t 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\u2014\u201cHe SOOO loved the world<\/em>.\u201d It is a transcendent kind of love\u2014a love without measure and without end. This love knows no bounds. It is love that is unceasing\u2014love 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!<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Promise\u2014Salvation<\/strong><\/p>\n

A provision for the penalty of our sin has been made. Yet, as it is with any gift, that gift must be received<\/em> in order to enjoy the blessings of it. God has followed up His provision with a promise.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord<\/strong> shall be saved.\u201d\u2014Romans 10:13<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord<\/strong> is not slack concerning His<\/strong> 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.\u201d\u20142 Peter 3:9<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut as many as received Him<\/strong>, to them gave He<\/strong> power to become the sons of God<\/strong>, even to them that believe on His<\/strong> name.\u201d\u2014John 1:12<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

So how do we receive this Gift that God has so freely given to us? How can we enjoy this amazing love of God?<\/p>\n

ADMIT that you are a sinner<\/em><\/strong>: Admit that you have failed to live up to God\u2019s 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 \u201cgood enough\u201d to save yourself and go to heaven.<\/p>\n

BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ<\/em><\/strong>: Believe that Jesus is the ONLY way of salvation. Jesus said, \u201cI<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father<\/strong>, but by\u00a0Me<\/strong><\/em>\u201d<\/span> (John 14:6). Take Jesus at His word and believe it to be true for you.<\/p>\n

CALL on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you<\/em><\/strong>: 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, \u201cThat if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus<\/strong>, and shalt believe in thine heart that God<\/strong> hath raised Him<\/strong> from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord<\/strong> shall be saved<\/em>\u201d<\/span> (Romans 10:9, 13).<\/p>\n

Your Choice:\u00a0<\/strong>The reality is that a person has a choice to make. You can receive this Gift of God\u2019s love or reject it. For those who receive this Gift of God\u2019s love can enjoy its blessings. For those who reject God\u2019s love will receive their wish for all of eternity. God in His perfect love doesn\u2019t force His subjects to reciprocate this love. To those who reject His love He gives those He loves their desire. To reject God\u2019s love is to choose to be separated from Him for all eternity in the torment of hell.<\/p>\n

Will you choose to admit<\/em> that you are a sinner; believe<\/em> that Jesus is the only way of salvation; then call<\/em> upon Him to save you from your sin? Will you choose to receive and enjoy God\u2019s love?<\/p>\n

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email: pastor@pibcny.com.<\/p>\n