Thursday
January 8 The Gift of Love |
OPINION
1 John 3:1
In my newborn Christian status, | often wondered why God in His infinite wis-
dom created humankind—knowing we would fail Him. | soon learned we were not
the only created beings and we are proof, to others, that Satan’s charge against
God's fairness and love is false. But to back up further, why create any of it? The
hosts of heaven, the other beings, the universe as a whole—did God need us?
Quite the contrary! God is complete and whole and exists without a need. He is the
only Being in the universe who is totally self-contained.
The answer to the question Why did God create us despite all our faults? is
found in 1 John 4:8. It states “God is love” (KJV). God and love are synonymous.
He created us because of love and in order to love us. “We love Him because He
first loved us” (verse 19, NKJV).
So many times Satan has deceived us into believing that the God of the Old
Testament was an angry ruler waiting to wipe sinners out of existence as soon as
they slipped. By contrast, God is
sys merciful and ever faithful. Eve
What greater evangelistic was not destroyed; rather she
tool is there than love? was given the first indication of
the plan of redemption. Cain,
who killed his brother, was
allowed to live. God was ever faithful to the Israelites throughout their journey
despite their continuous disobedience. And He is the same today.
it boggles the mind to try to comprehend the enormity of the love of God when
we contemplate creation. We are to commemorate that love each Sabbath. And if
we keep that love as our focus, we will not falter in our walk. But creation is just the
beginning of this everlasting love. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He
loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (verse 10, NKJV).
What greater love can there be?
In accepting this love, there is this charge: “if God so loved us, we also ought to
love one another” (verse 11, NKJV). Jesus came to redeem us and to teach us how
to love. He told His disciples, “‘As the Father loved Me, | also have loved you; abide
in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love... . This is My
commandment, that you love one another as | have loved you’ ” (John 15: 9, 10,
12, NKJV). God is love. So He gave Himself to His Son, His Son gave Himself to
us, and we are to give God to one another. “ ‘These things | command you, that
you love one another ” (verse 17, NKJV). What greater evangelistic tool is there
than love?
When we give love, we give God.
Stephanie Farrington, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
IRI BY