The Love of God
Years ago, when the Steps to Life ministry first began, it was my privilege to be a part of the Bible study program that still airs on television here in the local Wichita area every Sunday morning. At that time, I would sing a short song of appeal at the end of each program. Pastor Marshall Grosboll presented the Bible study in those days, and he had two songs that were his favorites: The Choice is Mine and The Love of God.
He used The Choice is Mine frequently for the Bible study program, but The Love of God was a favorite to close his Sabbath morning sermons. It was not unusual for him to preach a lengthy sermon and then announce that I would now sing The Love of God. My silent response was typically, “I will?” because I rarely knew I would be singing until he said so. But this song has such a beautiful message.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
This reminds me of what David said in Psalm 139:7–10: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
No matter where you’ve been. No matter what you’ve done, reconciliation, pardon, and restoration are available to the one who comes to Him in repentance and complete surrender.
“It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men to God by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law. … Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace; he must have a new life from above. This change is the new birth … .
“The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has been transgressed … .
“In the new birth, the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. …
“… The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by the grace of God to form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This is Bible sanctification.” A New Life, 11–13
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38, 39
Dear God, we thank You that Your love is forever true and that Your desire is for us all to reflect Your image once again.