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Our Message .:. The Love of God
The first verse on the list at the bottom is very well known that it has almost become a cliché. We must not forget that its opening phrase is of such eternal import that we cannot ignore it or pass it off as insignificant.
The Object of God's Love .:. The World
The object of the Love of God is the world, or more specifcally the people in it. All the people in it. God's love doesn't extend more to one racial, cultural or religious subgroup of humanity than it does to any other. But to all people everywhere did God give his precious gift … Jesus Christ.
The Nature of God's Love
In the ancient Greek language that the New Testament was written in there were four words for the concept of love. When referring to God's Love toward us the word used is always agap?, which is an expression of affection, goodwill and benevolence.
God's love for us is complete and unconditional. The scriptures specifically identify love as an aspect of God's nature. Not that he has love, but that He is love.
Read the first two verses on the right, John 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:9. Carefully note the word should. Both verses specifically say should, not shall. Shall indicates certainty, where should indicates possibility. Meaning, it is possible for someone to believe in this great love and still be lost. It also means that it is possible for someone who believes in that love to be saved. The difference is in the choice the individual makes in responding to the Gospel.
Jesus' great love for us makes it His express desire that none of us perish, or spend eternity in a place God created not for us, but for Satan and his angels. God's will is for us to spend eternity with him.
That eternity begins with a choice on our part, in the here and in the now. That choice is simple.
1. Do we respond to that love by taking the first step of faith by believing the Gospel?
2. Or do we reject that love and walk away from it never realizing what we are giving up?
If you can respond with Choice #1 above, stop reading. Pray a simple prayer asking God to show you more of himself, then move to the next step [Repentance].
At Norwich Tabernacle we are here to help you in that choice. Please feel free to [Contact Us] if you have any questions or would like prayer support in making the correct choice.
Scripture References
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:38-39
[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 3:1
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1 John 4:16-17
[16] 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.
[17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
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