25th July 2022
Love of God
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 (NKJV)
Recently I shared this message with Christian friends in India with whom I share fellowship on zoom. I think that there is no other theme that is more vital in the whole Bible. The love of God is sublime, inexhaustible, inexpressible, profound and very deep to fathom. For God Himself is love: ‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God…Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.’ (1 John 4:7-8 NIV).
Jesus Himself demonstrated His love for us by coming in the flesh, as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, and choosing to die on the cross, becoming a curse for us (John 1:29; Galatians 3:13). Through His death we are reconciled to God the Father (2 Cor.5:17-21). In His prayer, gasping His last breath, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
But most of the world does not know the love of God. The love of God is the love which is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul prayed that the Ephesians ‘being rooted and established in love’ may have power ‘to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ’ and that they might know ‘this love that surpasses knowledge’ (Eph.3:17-19).
I am speechless when I read the glorious scripture in John 17:23, “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” I do not have words to thank God for such love.
The love of God is such a high calling and is described in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: ‘… If I have the gift of prophecy…if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor… give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient… kind… does not envy… boast… is not proud… it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs… but rejoices with the truth… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…’
Let us stand in awe and thank God for his great love for us, and as he lives in and through us may we share his love with others.
Prayer
Abba Father, Your love is unconditional toward us and immeasurable and unfathomable. Thank You for loving us so much. Teach me to love You with all my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a Deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 1pm
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church