F. The Gospel – The Love of God

Perhaps we can gain a better appreciation of the depth of God’s love when we realize the relationship that Jesus has with the Father. In the Gospel of John in the very first verse Jesus is introduced as the “Word”. The apostle John writes,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God…” (John 1:1)

We know that John is speaking of Jesus here, because he goes on to tell us of Jesus incarnation when he writes shortly afterward,

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

We also learn of the Love which the Father has for Jesus and how He has entrusted everything to Him,

“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand” (John 3:35)

During the last supper that Jesus shared with His close disciples, Jesus prayed for them, that they would one day be with Him in heaven. But in this prayer we also learn again of the Love which God has for Jesus, a love which was from before the foundation of this world!

“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.” (John 17:24)

When we realize the special relationship that Jesus has with the Father, one where Jesus has been the at the center of God’s love from before the foundation of the world, then we can appreciate the love that God has shown to this world by giving Him up to be crucified for our sins. Perhaps now, the well-known scripture which tells of God’s love will take on new meaning.

“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.” (John 3:16)

It’s no wonder that the apostle Paul marveled and rejoiced when he contemplated the Love of God, and the Love of His Son Jesus, which was so mightily expressed at the cross of Calvary.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39)

Yes, not only do we see the love that God has for this world at the cross of Calvary but we also learn of the Love that Jesus has for us. Jesus was not forced to go to the cross of Calvary. He went there willingly in order to accomplish God’s plan of salvation. Jesus laid down His life in obedience to the will of God and out of Love for this world. Consider Jesus words in this regard,

“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. (John 15:13)

God has demonstrated his love for this world by sending His Son to die for our sins. Jesus has demonstrated His love for this world by willingly going to the cross to suffer and die in our place for our sins. It’s for this reason that the apostle Paul prays for those under his care, in the hope that they like him may be able to begin to comprehend and experience for themselves this great love!

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

The Apostles Paul explained that the driving force in his life was the Love which Jesus Christ had demonstrated for him at the cross of Calvary.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ 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 up for me. (Galatians 2:20)

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

In this topic “The Gospel – God’s Love” we have explained the meaning of the Gospel message and how a person can receive the Gospel. When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ as their savior from sin and repents, receiving Jesus as their Lord, they will be saved and become the object of God’s redeeming love from that point in time and for all eternity. It is our hope and prayer that those reading this topic will will take that step of faith, then being able to say for themselves together with the apostle John and every other Christian,

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love…” (1 John 4:16)

Please continue on to the next main topic in the Library, “The will of God”.