Understanding the depth of God’s love-Part 1
1 John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ESV Bible Extra Reading: John 3: 16-21
The love of God is the deepest possible expression of His character. Though God loves all people, He is especially committed to a sacrificial, loyal relationship with His people. Now let’s take a few minutes to look into the characteristics of God’s love.
Characteristics of God’s love are:
- It is eternal. Jeremiah 31:3 states, “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” NIV. Psalm 103:17 states, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children” NIV Bible…
- It is a covenant love. Deuteronomy 7:9 states, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” NIV
- It is lavish. Psalm 103:8 states, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” NIV
- It is holy and just. Psalm 33:5 states, “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.” NIV
God’s love is always directed to man. In Proverbs 8:17 God says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” NIV. This is really wonderful. Dr. J.I. Packer once said, “God’s love is an exercise of His goodness towards individual sinners whereby, having identified Himself with their welfare, He has given His Son to be their Saviour, and now brings them to know and enjoy Him in a covenant relationship” I found myself raising hands and praising God for loving us so much. You will realise that God’s love is an action, not a reaction. His love depends not on what we are, but on what He is. He loves us because He is love. This is part of His beautiful nature. He loves each of us as if we are the only one there is to love. Love for humankind, not nails, kept Christ on the cross. Though God loves us as we are, He loves us too much to let us stay as we are. If you could allow God’s love to touch your heart and remain in the previous position, then there is something seriously wrong with you. You need to examine your faith in God again. God’s love is being rooted firmly in the personal character of God Himself, it is deeper than that of a mother for her children (Isaiah 49:15; 66:13). God’s love is part of His personality, and cannot be swayed by passion or diverted by disobedience (Hosea 11:1-4, 7-9). God is love and Israel’s unfaithfulness can have no effect upon it, because He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love’ (Jeremiah 31:3).
Prayer: O God, help us to grasp the depth of Your love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
