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God Loves You

 

  1. Personal Love

Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

 

There are many people today who talk about wanting to live the “crucified” life. That is not what Paul is talking about in this verse. We are not to seek to be crucified with Christ. We have already been crucified with Him. The principle of living is not by the Law which has slain us because it found us guilty. Now we are to live by faith. Faith in what? Faith in the Son of God. You see, the death of Christ upon the cross was not only paying the penalty for our sins, but it was substitutionary also. He was not only the sacrifice for sin; He was the substitute for all who believe.

  1. Undeserved love, as illustrated in the book of Hosea

Hosea 4:16 - For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place. 

Hosea 4:17 - Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. 

Hosea 11:8 - How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 

Hosea 14:4 - I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. 

 

This great love, this everlasting love, this sacrificial love, and undeserved love affects us in the following ways; 

  • In our position, 1 John 3:2- Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3:2, now we are sons of God, 

 

  • It affects us in our potential, we shall be like Him, 1 John 3:2, Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.


• It affects our practice, 1 John 3:3 - And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.