GOD IS LOVE Devotion 2 of 34 – Tomorrow:
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . . . God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:8,16)
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9)
Our attention is now drawn toward the manifestation, or expression, of the love of God. If God is love, then that reality will be readily detected in what He does, for the character or Person of God cannot be separated from what he does. Unlike fallen man, the Lord never acts out of character. Furthermore, the preeminent revelation of God's love will be seen in the REASON for His action, and not merely in the action itself. In this particular text, the ACTION is "God sent His only begotten Son into the world." The REASON for that action is, "that we might live through Him."
Notice how the Spirit does not take for granted that we know these things – namely that God sent His Son into the world in order that we might live through Him. While men may be familiar with this academically, laying hold of it spiritually and effectively is quite another matter.
Great spiritual insights do not come through mere study, although they rarely, if ever, come independently of study. They primarily come through the same means as faith – by HEARING. As it is written, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17). The "hearing" of reference relates to the Gospel of Christ – an affirmation of what God has accomplished for us in Him. In the matter of God's "great salvation," affirmation has more power than explanation. Faith does not "come" to us on the wings of explanations, but on the breath of affirmation, or proclamation.
There are a number of significant affirmations that are made in First John. Ponder a few of them. This is not a complete listing of affirmations in First John.
1. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1:5).
2. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1:7).
3. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1:9).
4. "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (2:1).
5. "And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (2:2).
6. "But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected" (2:5).
7. " . . . the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth" (2:8).
8. " . . . your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake" (2:12).
9. "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things" (2:20).
10. "And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life" (2:25).
11. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (3:2).
12. " . . . He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin" (3:5).
13. " . . . For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (3:8).
14. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (4:4).
15. " . . . the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world" (4:14).
16. "We love Him, because He first loved us" (4:19).
17. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (5:1).
18. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (5:4).
19. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (5:11).
20. "He that hath the Son hath life" (5:12).
Remember, these are written to believers who have already passed from death unto life. They have, from one point of view, already met the "What must I do to be saved" requirements. Yet, they have not yet finished the race, nor is the work of God completed in them. Their faith has not been perfected, and thus hearing is still vital to its maturity.
This should put to rest the notion that reaching the lost is the premier work of the church – a myth that has been perpetrated in the name of Christ. Were this the case, most of the Apostolic writings would be addressed to the lost. But they are not, and the Apostles were given to THE CHURCH, being placed as the foremost office in it (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28). The work of the Apostles is really a view of the fundamental work of Jesus and the primary work of the church. Jesus is presently interceding for the church, and has been made Head over the church to nourish it and prepare it to dwell forever with Him. The Apostles, together with all other gifts to the church, have been granted for the building up of the saints. As it is written, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ . . . " (Eph 4:12-16).
The love of God has been revealed in the PURPOSE for which He sent His Son into the world. That purpose is not that our sins might be forgiven – although that is involved. Forgiveness is a means to an end, and not the end itself. The purpose for Jesus coming into the world is that we might "live through Him." This is not our initial life, when we were raised from death in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-2). Rather, this is ongoing spiritual life. John describes it as having fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3). Paul says God called us "into the fellowship of His Son" (1 Cor 1:9). Jesus spoke of this life as He and the Father taking up their abode in us (John 14:23). Paul spoke of it personally as knowing Christ, the fellowship of His sufferings, and the power of His resurrection (Phil 3:10). John referred to it as walking in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).
The love of God has been made known in the purpose for which He sent Jesus into the world. It is that we might live through Him, walking in fellowship with Him, participating in the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4), and having Him work in us to will and do of His good pleasure (Phil 2:13). Where this is NOT taking place, the grace of God has been frustrated. Where this IS taking place, the love of God has been realized.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I want Your purpose to be realized in me. I know that can only happen through Your Son. I also know You sent Him into the world in order that You might fulfill Your good pleasure in me. In Jesus' name, I humble acquiesce in that good and acceptable and perfect will.