My Dear beloved
No statement is as simple as this, and yet there is none more profound, in all the pages of Holy Writ. Its very simplicity seems to become a shroud, to hide the fathomless depths contained in this statement, for its obvious meaning…
No statement is as simple as this, and yet there is none more profound, in all the pages of Holy Writ. Its very simplicity seems to become a shroud, to hide the fathomless depths contained in this statement, for its obvious meaning seems to push our feeble minds beyond their ability to grasp its import. In writing these words, I am aware that sinister forces are at work in this materialistic world, seeking to represent God to the world as a mere man, and to bring His attributes within the scope of the natural. Even the Church in ignorance has presented God as a monster who is responsible for accidents and the death of our loved ones. They tell people that if they refuse to repent and turn to God, he will cast them into a burning hell from which there is no escape.
If these things are true how could it ever be said that GOD IS LOVE? You will notice that the Bible does not say simply that God loves, but takes the matter to its extreme by saying that God IS L-O-V-E. This is his intrinsic character, out of which his whole life flows. There is no man on earth that has ever succeeded in discovering the length and breadth, or the height and depth of God’s LOVE. If we are to ever grasp the power and effect of this LOVE, it must be by embracing this love as a life changing experience. It is not possible to fully appreciate God’s love by some academic study, for it surpasses every concept of love this world has ever known.
Did you know that God has limited Himself to LOVE, as being the only power through which to accomplish everything he purposes to do on the earth. The theologians have not been able to come to grips with this wonderful LOVE, so they introduced into the Gospel a torture chamber called Hell, where they say God will put people who fail to respond correctly to him. They believe without such an alternative people will never come to God, so they feel such a threat is very necessary. How futile is the natural or carnal mind of man. It has been proved many times that man will do for LOVE what he would never do even with a gun at his head.
The TRUTH is that the greatest power in this universe is LOVE. Romans 5:8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. One of the first things we notice about God’s love is the fact that it is UNCONDITIONAL. God does not wait for us to repent or do anything before he will love us. NO, even while we are still sinners his love is toward us. There is absolutely nothing any one can do to stop God from loving them. However, as in the natural, if a person does not want to be loved there is nothing anyone can do for them. To be loved we must open ourselves to receive that love, for a person cannot receive love against their will. Many people in the world today find it difficult to receive love, usually because they have been hurt by someone, which causes them to put up a wall to keep everybody out.
So here is how the Apostle Paul sums up his discourse on LOVE, in Romans 8:28-39. "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 creation will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD in Christ Jesus our Lord". One of the classic statements on LOVE is given to us by the Apostle John when he said, "Herein is LOVE, not that we love God, but that He loves us, and sent His son to be a propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world". 1 John 4:10 &2:2. But probably the most well known verse in the whole Bible says, "For God SO LOVED THE WORLD, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16