Studies In Christianity

Christian Love #1 God IS Love

Our Study of basic Christianity is progressing. 1. The Christian is said to be “born again.” 2. Being a babe in Christ must be temporary 3. Development involves living to serve. 4. Maturity is a result of diet and exercise.

I Peter 2: 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, Hebrews 5: 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Our Study of basic Christianity is progressing. ( continued ) 5. Christian maturity creates a new heart. 6. Maturing develops commonness w/ God. 7. Knowledge builds commonness w/ God.

No man can fully comprehend God, but there are elements of His character that He wants for us to emulate in our lives.

Though we are incapable of complete comprehension, our goal is to reconfigure our lives to conform to what we do understand about God.

I John 4: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love

I John 4: 16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

This lesson will examine : 1. Our understanding of biblical “love” 2. The love the Father has for the Son. 3. God’s love for mankind.

I. Love as presented in the scriptures .

Love is an over used and often misused term in today’s culture.

People who fornicate or commit adultery call it “making love.” “Eros” is the term for this erotic lustful passion. ( Not in bible )

Philostorgos the biblical term for love between family members. Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Phileo is love between friends which includes emotional ties. I Corinthians16: 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed.

Agape is the most common word for love in th New Testament. It is consistently used for God’s love I John 4: 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love

Agape does not require an emotional connection Matthew 5: 43 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

II. God’s love is typified in His love for the Son.

God the Father loved God the Son before the world was created. John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

God also wanted Jesus lifted up in the eyes of the disciples. Matthew 17: 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, " This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"

John 8: 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him. John 15: 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

III. God has a special unconditional love for all mankind.

God ‘s love for His people is everlasting Jeremiah 31: 3 The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.

God loves us even when we are wicked. Psalms 5: 4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. ( Hate = scorn ) Psa. 11:5

God requires that we love our enemies, Likewise, He loves His enemies. Romans 5: 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

No one is too wicked for God to love. Romans 5: 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him Luke 23: 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him … 34 But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

God forgave thousands of those who crucified Jesus. Acts 2: 38 Peter said to them, " Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

How will you respond to God’s love ? I John 4: 19 We love, because He first loved us.   John 14: 15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 21:15 … Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs."

God proved His love; have you proven yours ? John 3: 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

What has your love for God cost you ?

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. I Corinthians 11: 26

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