God is not like the man we have a heard about who, when asked by his wife if he loved her, replied, "I told you I love you when I married you thirty years ago; if I change my mind, I'll let you know." On the contrary, God wants us to be fully aware of the depth of his love for each one of us, and he tells us so, over and over again. Let's look at some beautiful Scriptures that tell of such wonderful love.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) . . . that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4,5,7). "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us . I. . God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:5,8). ". . that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge: that you may be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph. 3:17b-19). Notice the words that describe this wonderful love with which he loves us. Some synonyms that go along with this word "great" are broad, deep, wide, expansive, extensive, far reaching, grand, immense, measureless, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, marvelous, outstanding, splendid, superb, wonderful, and fantastic, all of which can be used to describe God's love for us.

Even more amazing than the words that describe this love, is the realization that this love was extended, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, to godless sinners. "Even when we were dead in trespasses,. . . God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Eph. 2:4; Rom. 5:8). Would you sacrifice your child to save someone? I doubt that very many of us would. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, to God, because he believed God would make amends. But, God sent his Son to godless men who would put him to death, just so that we can be saved I Do you see the depth of this great love for us? Do you see the clarity of such wonderful love?.When we become keenly aware of the depth of God and Jesus' great love for us, we cannot help but "stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner condemned unclean."

Contrary to what some may think, the great love that God has for us will in no way cause us to have a do-nothing religion. His love for us will go down to our very soul, and motivate us with every ounce of strength we have to love and obey him. There is no greater motivation to be pleasing to God, than this superb love he has for us. Paul said, "For the love of Christ controls us" and "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (2 Cor. 5:14; Gal. 2:20). Does this love control your life? Does your life belong to Jesus Christ?

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 7, p. 203
April 6, 1989