LOVE Lesson 1 for April 4, 2009

God doesn’t just have love or show love. He IS love God doesn’t just have love or show love. He IS love. His essence is love.

We cannot live without giving and receiving love. God created us in His image, so He gave us love and the ability to love. We cannot live without giving and receiving love.

GOD’S LOVE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:6 NIV) “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV)

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” (2 Chronicles 6:14 NIV) “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” (Job 10:12 NIV)

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” (Lamentations 3:22 NIV) “ ‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 NIV)

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them, and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9) “I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love; and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” (Hosea 11:4)

GOD’S LOVE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)

He who does not love does not know God, for… God is love (1 John 4:8)

How do we respond to God’s love? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) When God comes to live in us, we stop loving just ourselves and we begin to also love Him and our neighbours (even our enemies) with selfless love, expecting nothing in return.

“When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously “When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.” Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, May 17)

CHRIST PERSONIFIES LOVE children sick people tax collectors foreigners family soldiers women friends disciples enemies Scribes and Pharisees lepers How did Jesus show love in each case?

“We may love Christ more and increase our capacity for loving Him by contemplating and talking of His love. Cultivate the habit of talking with the Saviour when alone, when walking and working. Let gratitude and thanksgiving ascend to God because Jesus loves you and you love Jesus.” Ellen G. White, That I may Know Him, September 28