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 4:24);

   - 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

     (Rom. 12:1-2).

 

 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. 5:20 - sin abounded - not much merit in sin

      

 

       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. 5:8 – no merit here.

 

         Rom 5:10 - enemies > How much merit there?

     

 

    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 3:11 dsx Context: Historically towards the end of the 5th century -> after the return from being judged by the captivity in Babylon.

   

 

 

    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 Israel

 

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 4:11

 

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 4:11).

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.