Next Question 2

Why does God love us so much?

       Some of you will begin to understand why I love these questions from my school students. They unveil  the real thoughts of these young minds.

      Have you ever pondered the above question? Why should God love us so much? I like the question because it takes us beyond the notion that God ‘owes it to us’. I like the question because it indicates a recognition that ‘I am not worthy’ of God’s love.

       My short answer is –  God chooses to love us. (In keeping with His character).

       My long answer is – to refer to the Bible as our compass, “God is love”  (1 John ). Let us remember that the Bible word for love is ‘agape’. This is different to  some emotional feeling. Even more than family affection. God’s love is deeper, intelligent, not blind, not bland. God evaluates us, and in spite of our unworthiness, chooses to love us with an eternal care, delivering grace, inspiring enlightenment.

     Modern thought has suggested that God loves us because we are unique or special, or made in God’s image or we do our best – no, no. Others have insisted that our actions have no effect on God loving us – Both streams of thought are contradicted by the Bible.

     Lets ponder a most significant Bible verse – Romans 5:8

“but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”

This love is then related to God at work for those unworthy sinners (Romans 5-8), God reconciling, God justifying, God sanctifying, God setting free, God destining to glory, and comes to this conclusion

“What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that,  who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  ...............

..in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who LOVED us .........

...Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.   

      

       Please pause and read Romans chapter 8, verses 31 to 39 to see the real purpose and power of God’s love.

     John the apostle also wrote much about God’s love:

“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). It is helpful for people to know that God loves them, but the reality of God’s love is seen in His action. God so loved the people of this world that He gave His only begotten Son...........

I could continue for a long time on this subject. Rather I ask you to scan through the New Testament and highlight the mentions of God’s love -  it will transform your thinking and change your heart.

       Such is the grace effected by the active love of God, that those who own up to their rebellion and guilt before God, turn to trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour – they become children in God’s family and given eternal life. 

This attitude is captured so well in the  words of Paul  - “the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me”

‘Thank you Jesus

Thank you Lord for loving me

You went to Calvary

And there you died for me,

Thank you Lord for loving me.’

johnmckee@internode.on.net