“For 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Introduction
This is the month of February and there are lots of people that for sure will have a date on February 14. Young love teams express their love to their partner by giving gifts. High school students used to save money from what they’ve got in December because in February, they have to give something for their crush, or for their puppy love. Young people love to be teasing each other.
There lots of young people sad to say, fell in the dark side of love. Some in young age thought that it is the true love, no darling, it’s a baby. We have been teaching true love through TLW and sermons like this. And what we can hope for is our young people will learn to what it really means to love.
True Love Means
Loving Even Without Return
“For God so loved the world”, this is the reason why God sent His Son. But the Lord is not waiting for the world to send their sons to heavens. God loved the world from the very beginning of time. He is the great creator of all humankind. He loved us because he created us. The fact that no love from the creation can ever match the love the Lord gave us.
Ephesians 1:5-6 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” This passage speaks to us directly that he chose us before the creation of the world, and that in love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons. How can we ever match the love of God?
He is the one who called us, who chose us and not us who choose him. It is God who reached us and not us who reached God. The fact is, God loved us first without asking for any return. Yes it is true that the Lord seems to be requiring us to love him, but that is a part of teaching us to love their creator. We are supposed to love Him who created us which is supposed to be a natural thing to do. But God never demanded this on us. As we can see even through the flow of Biblical and human history, we continuously rebel against God, but God continuously look for ways where He will reach us and extend his love to us.
Adam and Eve were punished and where driven out of paradise. But God gave them clothes to wear as their protection against the harsh conditions of the world. Israel rebelled against Moses, but God spared two spies to enter the land of Canaan. The Jews mocked and crucified the only begotten Son of the most High, but God saved those who believe in his Son. This is true love, loving even without return.
Humanly love is loving someone who can love in return. We cannot say that this system is wrong. We are only trying to differentiate the love that God offers and the love the world interpreted it.
Loving Even At the Cost of Something
“That he gave his only begotten Son.” This phrase gave us a picture of what it cost God to love his creation; he gave his only begotten Son. It cost him the most important thing in him to save the world. He gave His Son just to be struck and killed to save us who were not worthy to be saved. He gave His Son to save a rebellious world who never thought of pleasing Him, who has been rebellious from the beginning of time. And it cost God something.
Unfortunately, even after giving salvation, most of the people did not turn their backs against the sinful nature but instead tried the patience of the most high. They began to express themselves against the Lord by nurturing human wisdom through philosophies and gratification of their lustful desires. People tried to question the ways of God through analogy and physical facts without even thinking that their quest will never end for questions will never cease.
Let’s take a good illustration. Scientists look for explanation of human evolution. Let us say, Darwin has the most reliable or believable explanation among all of them, but question still remains; “Why and how did it happens”. Let’s say evolution is true, but why is there evolution? Why do we transform from one kind of animal into another kind? Someone may say through genetic transmission. So what causes genetic transmission? The fact, questions still remains, and answers will always be a mystery.
And this mystery has been revealed and has been answered to those who believe. The end answer is, it is because THERE IS GOD. And God did not give His only begotten Son for nothing, He gave it to save us and for us to believe.
In addition, people looked for ways to gratify their sinful desires. Today, we can see nations and states that allow homosexual marriage. Proponents try to twist the word of the Lord. I am even surprised that there were “ministers” who pursue the movement and claim that the Lord loves them. Of course, God loves the people, but God hates sin. And homosexuality is a sin. These people are trying to reach out the our society and believe me, they are like a disease who spread so fast that perhaps one day, we will become like Sodom and Gomorra. Be careful therefore not to be deceived, for these acts of rebellion will come to judgment.
“God did not give His only begotten Son for nothing, He gave it to save us and for us to believe.”Loving Even Those Who Hate Him
By nature, people were so rebellious and hate to be under a power. By nature, most people are rebellious and hate what is written in the Bible. They do not like to be confronted with the truth which is against their desires. But God loves those people even those who hates him.
Jesus dined with a sinner Zacheus, asked for a water from a an adulteress at the well, received mocking from the soldiers without fighting back, and most of all, he gave his life to the unworthy. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus called those formerly enemies of the light as friends for he lay his for them.
Matthew 5:38-42 are the teachings of Jesus Christ about loving our enemies; “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” And we all know that Jesus Christ live in accordance to his teachings.
Conclusion
Loving in Accordance to God’s Will
In conclusion, the love that was given to us is in accordance to his will. Jesus confirmed it on the night that he was betrayed; Matthew 26:42 “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” This means that true love is in accordance to His will.
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