RESPONDING TO GOD’S GREAT LOVE
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16). Jesus Christ, his Son, says greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friend. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners and enemies of God (John 15:13; Romans 5:8-10). He wants us to love the Lord God with all our hearts, souls and mind; and love others, as he has loved us (Matthew22:37: John 13:34).
Before Jesus died on a cross for our sins, he showed his love for people as “he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38). And some people responded by showing their love and appreciation; as he wants us to do.
A WOMAN SHOWED HER LOVE FOR JESUS’ FORGIVENESS OF HER MANY SINS
A Pharisee, invited Jesus to his house for dinner. However a known sinful woman learned that Jesus was there, she came to the house and knelt at the feet of Jesus. The Pharisee could not find in his hearts to forgiven this sinful woman. But as she repented and washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them; Jesus said, “ her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. (Luke 7:36-51).
A VERY CORRUPT TAX COLLECTOR SHOWED HIS LOVE BY REPENTING OF HIS SINS
ZACCHAEUS was a corrupt tax collector, who cheated people out of their money. Being short, Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus as he was passing by in a crowd of people. Jesus ask Zacchaeus to eat at his house. As Jesus was eating in Zacchaeus home, he recognized Jesus as Lord and was convicted of his wrong doings. He repented and told the Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and I will pay back four times the amount to anybody I have cheated. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house…For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:1-10).
HOW GOD SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US
“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).
- God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).
- God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)–While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son (Romans 5:10).
- Christ-like love is self-sacrificing, but “is not self-seeking” (1 Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 2:5-8).
- Christ-like love inspires us to love God by obeying His commands (John 14:15).
- Christ-like love inspires us to love others as He has loved us (John 15:12).
HOW WE SHOULD RESPOND TO GOD’S LOVE
The Bible says: “We [should] love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). And we ought to “love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7; 21).
- We begin to love God when we are “born again” of God’s Spirit—when we obey God by repenting and believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. (John 3:1-16; Acts 2:38).
- Our Lord said “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:14).
- “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
- “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,” (Matthew 5:43-45).
Again, our God who gave his Son to die for us while we were still sinners, commands us: ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ’ (Matthew 22::37). And “ Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
The Lord our God has given us the Holy Spirit to helps us love God as he has loved us (John 14: 15-17). Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ assures everyone who loves him that, by the power of the Spirit “living in you” we will receive many blessing in this life, “and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:30; Romans 8:11).
