Last week our post was primarily a quote of 1 John 4:7-21. Now, we could have simply made reference to the passage and then made use of this space to comment on those scriptures. However, we did not do this because there is NEED for all of us to be continually exposed to the actual Words of God! There is too much of man's thoughts being expressed and not nearly enough of God's Words being put forth.
In 1 John 4:9-10 we read. "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 for our sins." This passage describes how God's love was manifested (made visible, realized) toward us and this was done through sending His Son into the world! Most people are familiar with John 3:16-17, "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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." It is clear from these two passages that God's love purposes to save us and give us life. When you consider these two passages along with Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us", we learn that God commended His love toward us when we were still sinners! Can you see this? Is this not truly marvelous? When we were yet in our selfish sins, God's love toward us moved Him to send His Son to come and save us from ourselves and the judgment that we deserved!
Oh, the mighty love of our Gracious God! It is this love that changes our lives. It is this love that causes us to love Him and others. Beloved, let us love one another indeed!
Pastor Chuck Pearson