1 JOHN 3:1 – See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are.
THEME OF THE DAY. OH HOW HE LOVES US. One of my favorite all-time quotes comes from the Puritan pastor and theologian, John Owen. He said, “We are never more nearer to God than when lost in the holy amazement of His love.” Isn’t that wonderful and insightful? And perhaps the most important two words in the statement are “holy amazement”.
There is a lot of talk in the world and even among Christians about the love of God. Rightly so for God is love (1 John 4:16). However, all talk is not necessarily all truth. We must understand that God’s love is a holy love. What does that mean? A lot of things, but perhaps the greatest thing we need to embrace, and rediscover about God’s holy love is its hatred for and intolerance of sin. If we want to really see the holy love of God in action, linger long at the cross of Christ. We will see, like in no other place, God’s hatred for sin while watching the greatest display of love ever put forth.
Yes, we are greatly loved by God. It is a love that is eternal (1 John 4:16); immeasurable (John 13:1); forgiving (Luke 23:34); restoring (John 21:15-17); pleading (John 7:37-39); sympathetic (Mark 10:17-22); and desiring (John 17:24). Yet, as we marvel over His love, there are two things we must be aware of and guard against concerning God’s love. With all the talk today of God’s love, we need to safeguard ourselves against these two things that reveal we are misunderstanding and thus misapplying God’s love in our lives.
First, a true understanding of God’s holy love always leads to a life of hatred and departure from sin and a life moving toward personal holiness or conformity to Christ. When God’s holy love is experienced, sins, even what we might think are “little sins” like procrastination, complaining, and discontentment, are loathed, fought against, and never tolerated. Should we find our attitude toward any sin one of indifference leading to allowance and practice of it without regret, remorse, and repentance, we don’t understand God’s holy love toward us. His love always produces hatred and departure from sin.
Another thing to be aware of and guard against when it comes to understanding and walking in God’s holy love is that if we are truly experiencing it, obedience to His commands become our delight and life. And we will not compromise any of them. When God’s holy love is known and controlling us, all His commands are embraced. Here is just one example – the command “do not forsake gathering together with other believers” (Hebrews 10:25). God’s holy love creates within us a longing for and a determination to show our love back to Him by our obedience. Should a Christian “talk” of the love of God but fail to obey known commands, like gathering regularly with other believers for worship, prayer, time in the Word, and Gospel service, the “talk” lacks real experience. We know that God has promised to meet with us faithfully. We also know that He will not draw near a people disobeying known commands such as the fellowship among His people.
We are so loved by God with a holy love. As we experience it, we begin to be shaped by this holy love into His image. And from this, the world will take notice of our God in the Person of Jesus Christ who is love.
PRAYER: “Father, teach me more and more about Your love as it is in Yourself, Your Son, and Your Spirit.”
QUOTE: “It is the love of God that keeps us, allowing us to overcome sin, and presents us to Himself someday.”