GOD IS LOVE Devotion 4 of 34 The love of God is not to be viewed academically, or studied as though it were a science, or body of knowledge to be classified. This is a love that is "manifested," or displayed to us. While it does require our attentiveness and thought to perceive it, the point of our text is that God has made the initial move. Humanity, because of its fallen condition, is not able to conceive of a God that loves. That is evident in the multiplicity of gods conceived by idolaters. None of them are noted for love, i.e., a love that seeks to benefit those upon whom it is conferred. There have been gods created by men that are associated with love, but it is always sensual love. Such gods, or idols, have also been used to promote sensuality. A MARVELOUS EXPRESSION A most marvelous expression of this truth is provided in Titus 3:3-7. "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and THE LOVE OF GOD our Savior toward man APPEARED, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE we should become heirs according to the hope of ETERNAL LIFE." A FOCUSED LOVE The love that is being made known is "toward us," i.e., FOR those who are in Christ Jesus. This is even more focused than the love declared by Jesus: "For God So loved THE WORLD that He . . . " (John 3:16). There are at least three areas on which Divine love is focused. The World God's love is focused toward the world, the church, and the individual. The world of humanity is distinguished from all other personalities in the love declared in John 3:16 (i.e., distinguished from angelic hosts). John 3:17 reaffirms this more general view of God's love. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17). This is a marvelous provision. It was a love that focused on those who "were dead in sins" (Eph 2:4). It constrained God to send His Son into the world to be "the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10). This is a love that appeals to all men everywhere. The Church In our text, those who are in Christ Jesus are distinguished from all other people. Israel is the initial example of Divine love being focused on a group of people (Mal 1:2). The church, or body of Christ, is the ultimate and greatest example. It is written, "Christ also loved THE CHURCH, and gave Himself for IT" (Eph 5:25). An Individual The love of God can even be focused on a single individual. As it is written, "NOAH found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen 6:8), and "to THIS MAN will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa 66:2). "If A MAN love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love HIM, and we will come unto HIM, and make our abode with HIM" (John 14:23). John, you will remember, was "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 21:20). – 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)
God has therefore made His love known. He has revealed both its reality and its manner, or nature. But this does not mean He merely has told us ABOUT His love, showing us certain aspects of it, and how He is capable of bringing good things to individuals, collectively and individually. He has not given us a manual of definition, but a book of affirmation. We will see that His love is chiefly declared in what He has done, not how He feels.
The love of God "appeared" by means of the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel is where God put Jesus forth, announcing Him as the propitiation, or covering, for sin (Rom 3:25). As long as Jesus was walking among men, He was not generally perceived as a Savior from sin, or the means of people coming to God. Some saw the fringes of those realities, but they were few and far between. But after Jesus rose from the dead and was enthroned in heaven, the Gospel presented Him in the exclusive capacity of Savior, and all that is involved in being the Savior of the world. In that Gospel, the love of God "appeared." It is true that it also "appeared" in the Person of Christ and His ministry of good among men. However, it was not really perceived until the Gospel was declared with power.
Thus the triumph of the people of God is traced back to "Him that loved us" (Rom 8:37). The wonderful circumstance in which we now find ourselves is directly owing to the love of God. As it is written, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath LOVED US, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work" (2 Thess 2:16).
Realizing this aspect of Divine love, Paul cried out, "I 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" (Gal 2:20).
An individual's commitment to the Lord is directly proportionate to the discernment of these aspects of Divine love. In general, it is understood that God loved the world, thus emphasizing His commitment to delivering us from the dreadful environs of sin and death (Gal 1:4). The understanding that God's love is more specifically focused upon the church, compels the individual to be identified with those people, seek their welfare, and profit from their gifts and abilities. The awareness of the intensely personal love of God propels an individual into greater spiritual depths, more prolific understanding, and more prodigious labors. I know of no exceptions to these observations.
Let there be no doubt about it: the love of God has "appeared," and has been "manifested." If it is not seen, it is not because it cannot be seen. It has been manifested.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for making Your great love known. In the name of Jesus I ask for penetrating spiritual vision, to see the love that You have already made known.