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. God's world might teach us hope — God's Word alone can give us the immoveable certainty that He is love. I. "GOD IS LOVE" — A TRUTH UNKNOWN TO THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD. 1. One cause of the failure must be sought for in the spirituality and elevation of the idea itself. 2. In the scale of reason the question of God's love must often seem a balanced one. Whatever love in God is, it is not a love which cannot both do and look upon things which are very terrible; it is not a love which is regardless of law; it is not a love which cannot punish. 3. The workings of an evil conscience. II. GOD IS LOVE — A TRUTH REVEALED AND CERTIFIED IN CHRIST. 1. It is a love not out of harmony with the sterner aspects of God's government, as seen in the world around us. There was a certain granitic sternness in the character of Christ, as well as soft and gentle words and smiles. And as for pain, think of the bitter Cross, and of God not sparing His own Son there. 2. The place to which the gospel raises love in the character of God. It identifies love with God's essence, with the very root of His character and life. A pagan said, "When God was about to make the world He transformed Himself into love." But the Christian gospel goes beyond this, and declares that God eternally is love. 3. The gospel is preeminently a revelation of God's love to sinners. (J. Orr, B. 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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