“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!…” – 1 John. 3:1
The Bible is replete with expressions of God’s love for mankind. It is, in fact, a love letter written over ages, consistently reassuring us of His love and commanding us to love one another in the same way. From the beginning when God said, “Let us make man in Our image…” (Genesis 1:27 – NKJV) to the end when John declared, “…Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people…” (Revelation 21:3), God desires fellowship with us and expresses His love through His Son Jesus Christ who said, “for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God” (John. 16:27).
Brethren know that God not only loves us, but that He is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16). He can do no less since His very nature is love, and we can only respond with love because He first loved us.
We recall the numerous times God warned the children of Israel against idolatry, but each time, they disobeyed and turned to serve the gods of the nations around them. Although they saw God’s power demonstrated time and again through miracles, signs, and wonders, they soon forgot the commandments and brought judgement on themselves. But the love of God was ever present. When they cried to Him in their distress, He delivered them.
Today, it is the same. We know what is right but we choose to do what is convenient, what is popular or even profitable, and bring upon ourselves unnecessary and sometimes unbearable pain and suffering. Then we remember God and cry out to Him for help; He is to us “God-Who-Forgives”, though He takes vengeance on our deeds (Psalm 99:8 – NKJV).
Because of His love, God truly “…has not dealt with us according to our sins Nor punished us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10 – NKJV). However, we must guard our hearts with all diligence, refrain from presumptuous sin, and so live our lives to please God.
Prayer
Father, we give thanks, for Your lovingkindness is better than life; our lips shall praise You. Thank You for not punishing us according to our iniquities but instead showing Your great mercy toward us. Help us now, Lord, to live a life of victory over every evil, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Read: Psalm 103:8; Revelation 21:3-4
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 4:10-19; Matthew 26:31-46; Exodus 4; Exodus 5; Exodus 6:1-12
