Love is a sentiment, a feeling, an emotion; rarely, and only under divine influence, is it a deep and abiding condition of a repentant heart. Man, in his sinful condition, cannot create true love in his heart, and he is too selfish to sacrifice himself and his wants and desires for someone else, even those he believes he loves. But the love of God is much more and of an entirely different nature than the world’s love. It is a principle established in the heart and manifested in action.
Do I really understand love?
God first manifested His love toward us in the works of creation. Both holy and beautiful, God pronounced His creative work as “very good.” (See Genesis 1 and 2.)
“Every flower, every shrub, every tree, answered the purpose of its Creator. Everything upon which the eye rested was lovely and filled the mind with thoughts of the love of God. Every sound was music in harmony with the voice of God.” Testimonies, Vol. 6, 358
However, we now live in a fallen world where we have but a faint conception of the beauty and glory of Eden. Yet even today, in the natural world, unmistakable signs and sounds display the love of God. The Bible says that the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:5). It still reveals the master Artist’s skill and holy passion for the things He creates and declares that God is omnipotent, great in goodness and mercy.
When we look at green fields or lofty mountains, sunshine and clouds, dew sparkling on the grass and on the leaves of the trees in the early morning rays of the sun, the moon and the glory of the starry heavens at night, or hear the robin sing at the first signs of spring, it is clear that they all testify of God’s great forbearance and love toward us. Love paints the sunset, crafts the delicate rose, and sends the gentle rain and soft breezes; all poured out upon an unthankful and rebellious world.
For thousands of years, Satan has attempted to counteract the tide of divine love flowing to the human family, tempting man to sin, and thus separating him from God. But his efforts failed, for in redemption, God revealed His love for the human race in sacrifice, a sacrifice so broad, so deep, so high that it is immeasurable. God’s mercy and deep love were manifested in a way never seen before.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“When Adam’s sin plunged the race into hopeless misery, God might have cut Himself loose from fallen beings. He might have treated them as sinners deserve to be treated. He might have commanded the angels of heaven to pour out upon our world the vials of His wrath. He might have removed this dark blot from His universe. But He did not do this. Instead of banishing them from His presence, He came still nearer to the fallen race. He gave His Son to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. …
“The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothing was withheld. God would not permit it to be said that He could have done more or revealed to humanity a greater measure of love. In the gift of Christ He gave all heaven.
“Those who have professed to love Christ, have not comprehended the relation which exists between them and God, and it is still but dimly outlined to their understanding. They but vaguely comprehend the amazing grace of God in giving His only-begotten Son for the salvation of the world.
“In order to secure man to Himself and ensure his eternal salvation, Christ left the royal courts of heaven and came to this earth, endured the agonies of sin and shame in man’s stead, and died to make him free.” God’s Amazing Grace, 176
“Christ by His human relationship to men drew them close to God. He clothed His divine nature with the garb of humanity, and demonstrated before the heavenly universe, before the unfallen worlds, how much God loves the children of men.” Ibid., 53
The One who was with the Father before the worlds were created submitted to humiliation that He might uplift humanity. Prophecy draws back the veil that we may behold the throne of heaven and see, upon that throne high and lifted up, the One who came to this world in human form to suffer, lacerated with stripes and bruised for our iniquities. “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5, last part
The heavenly universe watched as the Lord of glory—that sin might be pardoned and sinners redeemed—suffered in human form. He died so that the love of God might flow to every human being. It is true that in yielding to sin, the human race was under Satan’s control and helpless captives, but God sent His Son into the world to break the devil’s power and set the will of man free.
“To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4:18
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6
By pouring out heaven’s treasury in this one gift and giving me all heaven, God has purchased my will, affections, mind, and body, and is true of every human being in the world. If we place ourselves under God’s control, our wills will become steadfast in doing what is right, and our hearts will no longer be selfish but changed, filled with Christlike love.
When the mind yields to the authority of the law, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5, last part), men and women—once unrighteous and servants of sin—will then be consecrated to the service of God and man. This redemption is effective only because God withheld not even Himself.
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ … God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to use the word of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19
Just as the father and mother of a sick child share in their child’s suffering, so our heavenly Father suffered all the humiliation and agony of Jesus, His beloved Son. He came to save mankind, to pay the penalty for the world’s sins, bearing them in the sinner’s stead. He was rejected, mocked, beaten, slandered, stripped, humiliated, and finally, hung on a cross—a symbol of torture and death, raised between heaven and earth, a representation of the tie that can never be broken except by our own choice. Our human heart understands a parent’s love for their child, and what a mother or father will do or suffer for their beloved one. But we can never comprehend the depths of God’s self-sacrifice.
Abraham and Isaac
Of all humanity, Abraham came closest to a true understanding of God’s love and sacrifice.
We all know the story. God told Abraham he would be the father of a great nation devoted to God. He promised Abraham he would have a son and that through his son Isaac, that nation would be numbered as the sands of the sea and the stars of heaven (Genesis 22:17). But best of all, it would be through this promised son that God’s own Son would come as the Messiah to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
When Isaac was a young man, God directed Abraham to take him to “the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:2
“The command was expressed in words that must have wrung with anguish that father’s heart: ‘Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, … and offer him there for a burnt offering.’ ” Patriarchs and Prophets, 148
Abraham did not, at that moment, nor for the following three days, understand why God would promise him a son and then command such an incomprehensible action—sacrificing children was a heathen practice. But with faith like Job, Abraham did all that God had asked.
“At the appointed place they built the altar and laid the wood upon it. Then, with trembling voice, Abraham unfolded to his son the divine message. It was with terror and amazement that Isaac learned his fate, but he offered no resistance. He could have escaped his doom, had he chosen to do so; the grief-stricken old man, exhausted with the struggle of those three terrible days, could not have opposed the will of the vigorous youth. But Isaac had been trained from childhood to ready, trusting obedience, and as the purpose of God was opened before him, he yielded a willing submission. He was a sharer in Abraham’s faith, and he felt that he was honored in being called to give his life as an offering to God. He tenderly seeks to lighten the father’s grief, and encourages his nerveless hands to bind the cords that confine him to the altar.
“And now the last words of love are spoken, the last tears are shed, the last embrace is given. The father lifts the knife to slay his son … .” Ibid., 152
The moment had come, but an angel of God stopped him: “Abraham … Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Genesis 22:11, 12
It is essential to understand that God did not create mankind and then over time fall in love with him. God created mankind because He wanted children to love, children who would return that love. This love, God’s never-ending, all-encompassing love, is the reason He sent Jesus, withholding nothing, to be a sacrifice to save humanity.
Abraham’s love for God enabled him to obey. To the human mind, God had made a monstrous request, but Abraham trusted that He would keep His promise regarding his son. His love and trust were so strong that he obeyed, knowing that God would provide, however the outcome. This love does not happen in a moment. It is cultivated as we daily exercise our faith in God’s promises and love.
And what about Isaac? Once he knew what God had asked his father to do, though fear filled his heart, his love and trust, cultivated throughout his young life, allowed him, without argument or struggle, to obey God and put himself on that altar of stone, considering it an honor “to give his life as an offering to God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 152
The plan of salvation didn’t stop with Christ’s life as an example for us to follow, nor with His death to pay sin’s price. God appointed Jesus as our Advocate, standing before His altar, clothed with our nature, as Intercessor on our behalf. Christ has pledged Himself to be our substitute and our surety of salvation. His work is to introduce His children to the Father as His sons and daughters, and He neglects no one.
“There is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience accruing from His obedience. In heaven, His merits, His self-denial, and self-sacrifice, are treasured as incense to be offered up with the prayers of His people. As the sinner’s sincere, humble prayers ascend to the throne of God, Christ mingles with them the merits of His own life of perfect obedience. Our prayers are made fragrant by this incense. Christ has pledged Himself to intercede in our behalf, and the Father always hears the Son.” Sons and Daughters of God, 22
Christ took on human nature and lived a life of humiliation so that He might elevate man’s moral worth with the Father. He carried His adopted nature to the throne of God, and it is there that He presents His children to the Father, conferring upon them an honor exceeding that conferred upon angels.
“In Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28. Every heartbeat, each breath comes to us from the great I AM, the ever-present God, who breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of Adam. The great and infinite God lives not unto Himself but for the benefit and blessing of every human being, every object of His creation.
The Opposite Principle
Satan lives by the principle of self-serving, which he attributes to the Father by misrepresenting His character to the world. Satan leads man to accept this principle, making him believe that he would be happiest serving himself. However, the Son of God demonstrated this principle to be false.
Jesus committed to God that He would live a life that would rightly represent His character. True ministry and true service were exemplified in Jesus’ life so that His people might not be misled by the selfishness that dwells in the unconverted heart and which is strengthened by self-serving. Christ Himself set an example of service and ministering to others throughout His life (Acts 10).
“He saw the work of Satan revealed in all their woe, and He made every case of need and sorrow His own. With a power that never quailed, He cast out the evil spirits that possessed both mind and body. The power of love was in all His healing, and of the suffering multitudes that were brought to Him, it was said, ‘He healed them all.’
“The Saviour saw a still greater need than bodily suffering. He saw symptoms of a deeper illness. The sufferings of the body excited His pity, but He was moved to still greater pity by the need of the soul.
“With a love that never faltered, Christ spoke to men the words of eternal life. … To the weary and sin-burdened He said, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ He invited them, ‘Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.’
“Before men and angels, by His life of obedience and ministry, Christ represented the character of God. ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself.’
“In His work on earth, Christ lifts the veil that conceals the invisible world from our view, and reveals the power that is constantly exercised for our good. The same ministry which He performed on earth was continued after His ascension to heaven. Through His representative, the Holy Spirit, God in Christ still ministers to the children of men.” Australasian Union Conference Record, June 1, 1900
The immeasurable gift of the Holy Spirit is promised to each of us. God grants the riches of His grace to flow earthward to men, and if all would accept it, then the power of the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon the church. All the powers of the heavenly world are enlisted and engaged in executing God’s plans to bring man back from rebellion to reconciliation with Himself. With intense earnestness, everything that can be done is being done to bring man back to moral efficiency, and then in Christ, he may be more than a conqueror. Do you long for that day?
“Invisible armies of light and power attend the meek and lowly ones who believe and claim the promises of God. Cherubim and seraphim, and angels that excel in strength—‘ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands’—stand at His right hand, ‘all ministering spirits sent forth for them who shall be heirs of salvation.’ ” Ibid.
But even more than this, God has manifested His love to mankind by making you and me partners with Himself in the work of salvation. “We are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9. We are called to represent Him as ambassadors of His love. We are to cooperate as delegates of heaven, to do a work that the angels cannot do because man is meant to communicate with his fellow man.
Through the ministry of angels, God sends light to His people; so that through His people, light is to be given to the world. Man is to be connected with his fellow man as God’s instrumentalities to work on their behalf. We are given the privilege to unite with God for the salvation of humanity, to experience His joy in the redeemed, and to bring honor and praise to His exalted name.
God manifested His love to us in creation, the plan of redemption, His innumerable gifts and infinite sacrifice, and by the service of His Son, the Holy Spirit, and the angels. And He asks, “Do you appreciate My love for you?” If we do, He desires us to accept the salvation He freely offers us, realize our high privilege of being His children, and walk with Him in obedience and humble thanksgiving, serving Him in the newness of life with gladness every day. He longs to see gratitude swelling in our hearts. We have an Advocate by whom we can approach the mercy seat and the Father’s throne of grace because our names are written in the book of life. He tells us that we can now rejoice because we are the heritage of the Lord.
The righteousness of Christ is the white robe we will wear while rejoicing in the blessed hope of the soon appearing of our Lord as the King of kings. We must form a habit of praising the Lord for what He has done for us. To glorify God in fullness and sincerity of heart is just as much a Christian duty as it is to pray or study His word because we must show, not just to people in this world but to all the heavenly intelligences as well, how much we appreciate the wonderful love of God manifested to fallen humanity. They must see that we expect still greater blessings from our Father in heaven.
After a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, our joy in the Lord and efficiency in His service will greatly increase. We must speak of the precious chapters in our experience, recounting His goodness, blessings, and wonderful works for His children.
God knows the future, and He knows far in advance how He will answer the prayer, though not yet uttered, and He will have the answer ready. We will never catch God by surprise for He is constantly planning for our good, not just now but in the future. Some people fear the time of trouble that is soon to come. But remember, God says, “I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20, last part, KJV) He knows what you need and is able and willing to supply it. He says to cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Over and over again, God has answered our prayers and delivered us out of trouble. Now, we must do our part by demonstrating the strength of our faith in Him to do just as He said He would do for us. Our trust is not in vain, and our thankfulness and joy to our heavenly Father is shown, not just by praise services or by the words that we speak but also by what we do. It is time for us to be engaged in personal ministry and sacrifice for the good of others.
In His prayer to His Father, Jesus said of His disciples, “As You have sent Me into the world, even so I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:18. The great commission (Matthew 28:19, 20) was not given just to Jesus’ disciples, ministers, or church leaders. He also gives it to all who would believe in Him until the end of time on this earth.
Jesus said to go into all the world, preach the gospel to every creature, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils. “As every man has received the gift, even so, minister the same to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. In this way, God desires us to fulfill His purpose of grace by the power of His love. Through obedience, fallen man—made from the dust of the earth—is to be transformed, fitted to be a member of the heavenly family, a companion of God, Christ, and holy angels throughout the eternal ages.
Then all of heaven will triumph, as the vacancies in the heavenly host, made by the expulsion of Satan and the angels who followed him,will be filled with the redeemed of the Lord. God’s plan for you is higher than the highest human thought can reach, too big for our polluted minds to comprehend just now.
Do not turn your back on God’s plans for you. Do not let the tinsel or noise of this world distract you from the blessings now and the future to come. Satan and the things of this world have nothing for us compared with what God has planned.
We do not, at the end of the millennium, want to be among those who are standing outside of the city saying, “This could have been mine,” never to walk the streets of gold, to hear the rushing of the river, or to taste the fruit of the tree of life, or to kneel at the feet of Jesus and touch the scars on His hands, scars He bears for all, the sacrifice made, the salvation offered, although rejected by so many.
“The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning given. The sweet voice of mercy was no more to invite them. When the saints, and all heaven, were interested for their salvation, they had not interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate Saviour to plead for them and cry, ‘Spare, spare the sinner a little longer.’ All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, ‘It is done. It is finished.’ The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy’s sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness, they heard the words, ‘Too late! Too late!’ ” The Story of Redemption, 404
It is not too late now. Now is the time. Every human being who responds to God’s love will be saved. Don’t miss out on what God has prepared for you.
Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at 316-788-5559.