Love: September 2004

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
God loves you - not because of what you are, but because of what He is. God is love (1 John 4:1616And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)). We can see the love that parents have for their children because of all that they do for them. In like manner, God lavishes unbounded affection on all, giving good and perfect gifts. Why did He say, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3))? Was it because Israel was more lovable than others? Notice this verse: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). There was nothing lovable in us, but He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Such love is beyond comparison. We read, “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us” (Ephesians 2:44But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Ephesians 2:4)). Love is God’s divine nature and so is light (1 John 1:5; 4:85This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8)). Perhaps you have observed a young man and a young woman who have a tender, passionate affection for each other and you rightly say, “They are in love.” But with God, His love was not drawn out by any virtues in us, but only by the goodness of the Giver. Therefore, if our sins are washed away in the blood of the Lord Jesus, should not our love go out to Him “who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20))? Our love should also go out to other Christians and to the lost throughout the world. His love should cause us to fall at His feet in worship.
1. What is the greatest manifestation of love a man can give for his friend?
John 15:___
2. After Goliath was slain, what do we read about Jonathan’s love for David?
1 Samuel 18:___
3. Before we are told about judgments, what does it say about the One who washed us from our sins in His own blood? Revelation 1:___
4. How will all men know that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus?
John 13:___
5. What does it say of any man who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ?
1 Corinthians 16:___