Kent Hughes (in his commentary on Romans) encourages us to think on John 3:16 as a way to think about how much God loves us. Here’s how he puts it:
“For God—the greatest Lover
so loved – the greatest degree
the world – the greatest company
that He gave – the greatest act
His only Son – the greatest gift
that whoever – the greatest opportunity
believes – the greatest simplicity
in Him – the greatest attraction
should not perish – the greatest promise
but – the greatest difference
have – the greatest certainty
eternal life – the greatest possession.”
Today, revel in the God of heaven who loved you in the GREATEST possible way.
True Love
From Octavius Winslow’s Morning Thoughts, Feb 14, out of 1 John 4:10.
“Herein is love!” as though John would say, “And nowhere else but here!” That God should punish the innocent for the guilty- that He should exact the blood of His Son to cancel the guilt of His rebels- that He should lay an infinite weight of wrath on His soul, in order to lay an infinite weight of love on ours- that He should sacrifice His life of priceless value for ours- worthless, forfeited, and doomed- that He should not only give His Son, but should bruise Him, put Him to grief, afflict Him, should make His soul an offering for sin- that the ‘Lord of Glory’ should become a ‘man of sorrows’, the Lord of Life should die, and the Heir of all things should be “as him that serves.” Oh depth of love unfathomable! Oh height of love unsearchable! Oh length and breadth of love unmeasurable! Oh love of God, which passes knowledge!
Today, bask in the glow of a God who is crazy for you.
Weekend Recap – Love
Today, the second week of Advent featured some great singing and reveling in God’s love for us through a very familiar place. The sermon, Love, from John 3:16 is now online. During one part of the sermon, I was pressing how many times our appreciation for the Gospel is much like our appreciation for “black socks”. We really do need them, but it really isn’t what we want. Similarly, most Christians know they need the Gospel but what they really want is for God to make them healthy, wealthy and blessed. Being passionate for those things over and against the Gospel is treating the amazing gift of love in Jesus like “black socks.”
It was a great morning. Just got out of Missions Committee meeting, much to be excited about there with potential opportunities for ministry soon. Anticipate rich fellowship tonight in small group as well. Hope you had a great Lord’s Day.
MLJ on God’s Love
…from his exposition on 1 John 2:29 and 1 John 3:1, in his book Life in Christ, which a group of our adults study each Wednesday night:
Oh, the quality of this love! Just realize what it means, the freeness of it all, that you and I should be called children of God! The freeness of this love that has looked upon us in spite of our sin, in spite of our recalcitrance, in spite of our unworthiness, in spite of our foulness as a result of the Fall and our own actions. Oh, the love that has not merely forgiven us but has given itself to us, that has entered into us and shared its own nature with us; stand in awe at the greatness of it!
Heed these words, especially in the next week as we ponder the Savior’s love.
Amazing Love
I’m consistently amazed at the picture of love seen in the book of Hosea (God’s love that is). This Sunday PM, Lord willing, we will be exploring Hosea 11:1-13:3. I’ve called the sermon “God’s Gracious Love”. As I prepped the material and worked through the passage, it was staggering to see God’s patience and love. God’s love has overcome His holiness. We see depths of love and mercy in amazing ways. I’m hoping, with Paul, that we are able to see God reveal new depths of understanding when it comes to His love. Hope to see you there.