Praise God for His Overwhelming Love!

Tertullian, an early Christian author, reported that the Romans would exclaim, "See how they love one another!" Justin Martyr, a Greek-speaking Christian apologist, sketched Christian love this way: "We who used to value the acquisition of wealth and possessions more than anything else now bring what we have into a common fund and share it with anyone who needs it. We used to hate and destroy one another and refused to associate with people of another race or country. Now, because of Christ, we live together with such people and pray for our enemies."

Clement of Alexandria, describing the person who has come to know God, wrote, "He impoverishes himself out of love, so that he is certain he may never overlook a brother in need, especially if he knows he can bear poverty better than his brother. He likewise considers the pain of another as his own pain. And if he suffers any hardship because of having given out of his own poverty, he does not complain."

There is nothing like the love of God! It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It is the greatest thing God ever did for any of us! The reason I can say that is this, because He loved us, He was moved to do everything else that He has done. Today, I'd like to briefly discuss the question : What are the facts about God's love?

We will be using 1 John 4:7-12, in your Bibles, as our source of reference. We can say that John's epistle has a 4-fold purpose: That our joy might be full (1 John 1:4); that we might not sin (1 John 2:1); that we might know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13); and that we ourselves might love others (1 John 4:11).

1 John is the great book of love. It's mentioned 46 times in 135 verses. It was written to combat a heresy known as Gnosticism. The Gnostic believed that knowledge was power. They felt that they had a special knowledge of God and His ways. John is writing to put them into their place! And, as he does, he tells the rest of us about a great God, with a great love for great sinners.

Read 1 John 4:7-11. These verses tell about God's love for sinners. This love is described in the context that...

A. It Is Unspeakable - I can't understand it, or why, but I know I have experienced it and I can never be separated from it (Rom.ans 8:38-39).

B. It Is Unending (Jeremiah 31:3)…I have loved you with an everlasting love!  God's love is eternal!

C. It Is Unselfish - It asks for nothing in return! However, it leads man to repent and turn to God in love (Romans 2:4; 1 John 4:19). We love him because He first loved us!

D. It Is Unmerited - It cannot be earned, or deserved. His love is based in His grace! (Matthew 23:37)

E. It Is Unconditional - It's not based on what we can, or cannot produce. It comes from the heart of God. Man can never reach a place when he will not be loved by God! God loved us first, He loved us anyway and He loves us eternally!

F. His love is Supernatural, it is Sacrificing, it is Satisfying!

In verse 1 John 4:10, we read that this love was demonstrated at Calvary. God's love can never be fully understood, but it can be seen! And, it is best seen at the cross! There, at Calvary, he stood in the gap (2 Corinthians 5:21). In other words, he took our place! He saved us from Hell. It is His death on the cross, the death that released His precious blood, that opened the door of salvation for every sinner who will come to God (1 Peter 1:18-19; Ephesians 1:7 ).

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace! (Colossians 1:14).

1 John 4:11-12 tells us that this love is displayed in the Christian; that it will be visible if it is possessed! Notice throughout the Bible, there have been men who demonstrated God's love. A few examples of God's love are:

1. Forgiving Love - Joseph (Genesis 45:1-8), was lied about, sold as a slave, ripped from his home and father, falsely accused. put in prison, waiting waiting waiting all because of his jealous brothers! Yet, he still forgave!

2. Redeeming Love - Hosea (Hosea 3:1-3. His wife Gomer was a prostitute, yet what and example of  redeeming love!

3. Compassionate Love – Peter denied Him, and lied about Him. Yet, Jesus never stopped loving  him!

We ought to praise the Lord today for His overwhelming love! We can shout, we can run, we can turn flips, etc., but the best means we have of thanking Him for His love is by letting Him love through our lives, and reach others for Jesus. I thank Him for loving me, and I am sure you do too. Today, let's show that love for God by doing His will, being what He would have us be, and by loving like He would have us love.

Scripture: Romans 8:37-39; Jeremiah 29:11; John 13:34; Romans 12:9; Revelation 3:19; Isaiah 54:10; Galatians 5:22

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for each and every day you give me. I leave my troubles in your hands today. I trust in you to do what is best for me. Amen

May God be with you!

Albany