"...because he first loved us."
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Posted By: Branden Jones on February 10, 2008 The Bible Study for today is on 1 John 4:19: "We love him [God], because he first loved us." I wanted to present this verse, because I think it is very interesting. Though it seems simple, there is actually more behind it than people realize. The phrase "we love him" would probably best be translated "we CAN love him" or "we're able to love him…because he first loved us."..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Allow me to explain: There is an enmity between God and man--- but not on God's part. Jesus says in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world…" No, the enmity between God and man was man against God. You see, God's standard of righteousness is perfection, and of course man is a sinner. The law that was put in place by God through the Jews could not change man, but made him more aware of sin. And the sin nature driving man to sin made keeping the law that much more impossible. See, man hates that God's standard is perfection because he cannot reach it through his own devised means. Not even the law, given by God, could change man's heart. But thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ, our sins have been washed away, and we can now have a relationship with God through him (Jesus). Grace. Therefore, now being justified in his Son, we can now love God. How so? "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3 Prior to Jesus Christ dying for our sins, it was impossible for man to keep the commandments. There were some who thought they had kept them, but Jesus quickly affirmed that the commandment is first kept/broken in the heart of man. Adultery, murder, covetousness, and idolatry, are first committed in the heart of man. Therefore, there was no one who had kept them. As hard as man tried to keep them, it was impossible for him to do, because of the sin nature within him. "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psalm 14:3 Man's heart is the problem. It is filled with lust, filth, murder, strife, jealousy, envy, pride, etc. Only when we come to Jesus, who died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, can we be born again. And then He, by the Holy Spirit, comes into our hearts and changes us. There is no way to rehabilitate a sinner. "You MUST be born again." John 3:7 Man has to be changed on the inside, turned away from sin to God, by the power of Holy Spirit, through the blood of Jesus Christ. God's command is that we love one another. And we can now do that, by his Spirit working in us. Without Jesus, the law gave sin the powerr sin to constantly rule us. "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." 1 Corinthians 15:56 Now that we have been released from the law to the control of the Spirit, we can now have freedom to love, and live a life of peace, joy, and righteousness. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus [Faith in the finished work of Christ gives liberty to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Life, to work in me] hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [The law of sin and death says "sin and die," but now that Christ has fulfilled all of the law, the law is now to believe on him. This is the law of the Spirit---faith in Christ and his shed blood, which brings life to the believer] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, [As righteous and holy as the law was, it could not make man into what it demanded. The law had the same effect as a mirror has on someone's face; it can show you what is wrong or dirty, but it cannot fix it. Likely, the law could only convict of sin, it could not change the person. The sin nature of man, which is of Satan, brought about by Adam's fall, causes him to repel and rebel against the holiness and righteousness of God. In all his strength he is still powerless against the perfect law of God. This is the awfulness of sin.] God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, [God had to become man, in our likeness, to redeem us] and for sin, [God's demand for the broken law was innocent blood shed for the guilty to be forgiven] condemned sin in the flesh: [Jesus fulfilled God's righteous decree that "wages of sin is death" by paying, in the flesh, with blood, the penalty for all sin] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, [Jesus fulfilled all of the law and paid the penalty for the broken law. And "whosoever believes in him" would receive his righteousness. In essence, Jesus says to all of mankind, "give me your sin, and I'll give you my righteousness---my kingdom. His blood washes you clean.] who walk not after the flesh, [who don't trust in themselves--- works, law, anything man devised] but after the Spirit [total faith in the what Jesus Christ did for us. The Holy Spirit can only work on man's behalf when his faith is in Christ, the one whom the Holy Spirit glorifies]." Romans 8:2-4 We can love God now [through his Son], because he first loved us [through his Son]. Amen. God bless you all. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Branden Jones
Workforce Development Consultant II, Louisiana Workforce Commission Dillard University class of 2002 Member Since April 2005 |
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