Theology
Proper - Who is God?
Lesson 18
e. LOVE
Intro:
There are certain terms-three in all that
are used in the Scriptures as comprehensive descriptions of God, namely,
- Spirit
- "God is a Spirit"
(John
- light - "God
is light" (1 John 1:5);
- love - "God
is love" (1 John 4:8);
By using the word comprehensive; it is asserted that
the terms Spirit, light, and love refer not merely to particular virtues among
those which God has, but the point is that God is Himself precisely what these
terms denote.
More to the point concerning love: God has not attained unto love, not learned to love us nor
does He by any effort maintain this love;
But the phrase God is Love expresses the nature of
His being.
Without the attribute of love, God would not be who
He is.
When God's
love is expressed or manifested it reveals much about God!
1. DEFINITION: LOVE IS THAT PART OF GOD'S CHARACTER THAT CAUSES HIM OR
MOTIVATES HIM TO GIVE HIMSELF FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE ONE LOVED.
- Basic foundational definition: Love is an attitude that motivates one to do
what is right and in the best interest of the one loved, no matter what the
cost.
1 John 3:16;
Gal. 2:20
(
2.
Terms that express the Love of God.
a.
Grace - God's love is manifested by His Grace.
[all that God
is able to do for us because of the Cross]
Rom.
Grace is extended based on
His character, His essence, not on the basis of any merit in the object.
Rom.
5:6 - still helpless > no merit
Rom
b. Mercy - loving kindness (O.T. dsx lit. loyal love)
God's compassion toward man who is
suffering the consequences of living in a sin cursed world. 1 Chr. 16:34;
-
Ezra
c. Long suffering - God's patience
This is the Characteristic of God of
withholding judgment in spite of continuing presence of sin. [when totally deserved]
-
2 Pet 3:9,15;
Ex 34:6; Rom 2:4 [crhsto,j]
3. The essential factors in God's Love
a. It provides for the one Loved. 1 John
4:9a
b. It seeks the best for the one Loved 1 Jn 4:9b
c. It is not based on reciprocity. 1 John
4:10
d. It is not based on human merit. Rom. 5:8
e. It participates in the suffering of the
one Loved.
Isa 63:9 - Speaks
of His relationship to
4.
Our response to the Love of God. (see chart walking in the light)
a. To love God, Deut. 6:5
b. To love others 1 John
c. If we love God we will obey His word 1 John 5:3
Excerpt from Knowing God by J.I. Packer pp. 115
Is it true that God is love to me as a Christian?
And does the love of God mean all that has been said? If so, certain questions
arise.
Why do I ever grumble and show discontent and resentment
at the circumstances in which God has placed me?
Why am I ever distrustful, fearful, or depressed?
Why do I ever allow myself to grow cool, formal, and
half-hearted in the service of the God who loves me so?
Why do I ever allow my loyalties to be divided, so
that God has not all my heart?
John wrote that 'God is love' in order to make an
ethical point, 'if God so loved us, we
also ought to love one another'(1 John
Could an observer learn from the quality and degree
of love that I show to others - my wife? my husband? my family? my neighbors? people at church? people at work? - anything at all
about the greatness of God's love to me?
Meditate upon these things. Examine yourself.