THE
BOOK OF GOD'S PROMISES
God's
Love For Us
By
J. Steven Lang
CBN.com
-- Love is such an overused word -- don't we "love" hot dogs and
apple pie, and "love" going to the beach? But love in the Bible has a much
richer meaning, particularly when applied to God's feeling toward his people.
The Bible describes a kind of love that goes far beyond the greatest human capacity.
The LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing
love. We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting
us like a shield. Psalm 33:18, 20 "I have loved you, my people, with an
everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." Jeremiah
31:1 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who
trust the LORD . So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout
for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:10-11 The Word became human
and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. John 1:14
"God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes
in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn it, but to save it." John 3:16-17 We know how dearly God
loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his
love. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight
by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment. For since
we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were
still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his
life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God -- all
because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of
God. Romans 5:5, 8-11 We know that God causes everything to work together
for the good of those who love him and are called by him. Romans 8:28 God
is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead
because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It
is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from
the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms
-- all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us
as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown
in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 May you
experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand
it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from
God. Ephesians 3:19 Anyone who does not love does not know God -- for God
is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world
so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that
we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away
our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love
each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in
us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us. And God has
given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 1 John 4:8-13
See also Comfort in Times of Trouble, Discipline and Correction.
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J.
Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
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