GOD IS LOVE


A. "GOD IS LOVE" (1 John 4:8)
  1. It may be significant:
    1. That we have these words, not from Jesus -
    2. But from John
  2. Jesus did not say, "God is love"
    1. He taught by the induction method
    2. He said to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath see the Father." John 14:9
B. GOD
  1. "God is love"
    1. Here we have three words in three syllables, and they are more inclusive than all other words piled in all the Dictionaries in the world.
    2. They are the words out of which all other words come
  2. These three words:
    1. Sum up the universe and all the activities of all the unfallen worlds
    2. They constitute the sixty-six books of the Bible
    3. They are the very heart of the plan of redemption - John 3:16
  3. They are in fact:
    1. The only true motive for sacrifice - Examples: Abraham's love to God was demonstrated in the sacrifice of Isaac - Gen. 22:12. The gift of the poor widow is another example - Mark 12:41-44; the deed of Mary Magdalene is still another vivid example - Matt. 26:7-10.
    2. They are the only meaningful reason for forbearance, longsuffering, and all other human restraint - I Cor. 13:4-8.
  4. Note, please, the nature and function of Divine Love:
    1. Love is the central emotion in God - Examples: See Jesus in tears at the tomb of Lazarus - John 11:34-35; God's compassion on Israel - Duet. 30:3; Jesus and the blind man - Matt. 20:32-34.
    2. It causes longsuffering - 2 Pet. 3:9
    3. It is the very foundation of the goodness of God - Ex. 34:6
  5. Love implies fellowship:
    1. God loved Israel - that explains why He sought to dwell among them - Ex. 25:8
    2. That is why He adopted human nature in the person of His Son - John 1:14; Heb. 2:9-17
    3. Love means outpouring; it cannot exist without an object - strictly speaking, there can be no self-love; because selfishness is the negation of true love.
C. God's love in creation and redemption:
  1. Creation is an expression of God's Love:
    1. Love has been active everywhere--love built heaven: love created the universe
    2. Love created this world? Why did God create this world for which He had no need? There is but one answer--God is Love and Love made the world to bestow itself upon it!
    3. Love is the bedrock of the universe--all creation is but the expression of God's love!
  2. Love in Redemption:
    1. It was in the gift of His only begotten Son that His Love reached its full revelation; He simply disclosed it to the world!
    2. It is of great significance to us that Jesus Christ specially emphasized The Fatherhood of God - marking man's relationship to God with "Abba Father" - Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6
    3. The word 'Father' is the begetting manifestation of God - I John 5:1; James 1:18
  3. The Love of God finds its freest expression in Jesus Christ the Son of God:
    1. "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." - Matt. 3:17; 17:5
    2. In Christ Love stooped to infinite sacrifice - 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 3:13-14
    3. It was on the cross of Calvary where Love expressed itself most eloquently
    4. Said Jesus, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
    5. But He died for us while we were his enemies - Rom. 5:8
  4. Finally - God's Love in human life:
    1. Untold millions of the martyrs of Christ are but an expression of God's love for sinners
    2. Writes Paul, "The Love of Christ constraineth us" - 2 Cor. 5:14


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