1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. There was a day in history when a man of genius discovered the law of attraction which connects the worlds. Through the unlimited course of ages that law had always existed, ever the same, ever unaltered, ever acting, before men had learned to spell its familiar formula. What attraction is in the physical world, such is the love of God in the moral world. God is immutable. God is love. He has ever been so. But there was a day when that love of God was revealed to mankind by Jesus Christ, and it is through Him alone that the world has known it. I. The first feature of the love of Christ for man is its DISINTERESTEDNESS. It is not for Himself, but for them that He loves them. II. I remark next that the love of Christ for man kind is VOID OF ILLUSION. He knew what the disciples were; nevertheless, such as they were, He loved them. III. A third feature of the love of Christ for His own is FAITHFULNESS. IV. The love of Jesus for His own is a SANCTIFYING LOVE. There are affections which weaken, enervate, and degrade the soul. Love is the most energetic auxiliary of the will. V. The love of Christ is UNIVERSAL. The heart that beats in His breast is that of the High priest of mankind. VI. And nevertheless, that universal love is at the same time an INDIVIDUAL love. (E. Bersier, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. |
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