The love of God is not easily understood. In fact, we are told that we need divine revelation to comprehend anything about God’s love and to get just a little grasp of this enormous aspect of God, literally takes us to new heights in our faith.
Ephesians 3:14–21 (ESV) — 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
When you think of God’s love, we must realize it’s all about Him and not about us; therefore, we must realize our love for Him is a result of His love for us.
1 John 4:10 (ESV) — 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:19 (ESV) — 19 We love because he first loved us.
Our first apprehension of the love of God is corrupted by our weak minds which are unable to understand God and His love. For instance, when we see that the Scripture tells us about loving Jacob but hating Esau, our minds rebel and some even say they wouldn’t believe in a God like that. But wait!
Romans 9:10–16 (ESV) — 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
We must get something straight that neither Jacob or Esau or any one of us are worthy of God’s love. So, the question is not how God could hate Esau, rather it’s how could God love Jacob or any one of us rebels, who naturally raise our fists in rebellion against God.
Romans 8:6–8 (ESV) — 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The answer is God’s sovereign grace. He looks graciously in love toward those that He decides so that it’s not of anything other than God’s pure and holy will.
Romans 5:6–10 (ESV) — 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
2 Timothy 1:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Therefore, to consider the love of God is to consider something so great that it goes beyond our highest thought. In fact, the word picture is the vastness of the space between the earth and heaven and this is the beginning of the comprehension of the vastness of God’s magnificent love. Just picture this!
Psalm 36:5–7 (ESV) — 5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Go back to Ephesians chapter three and notice again the words used that put into play the need for God’s grace in understanding just to begin to comprehend the vastness of God’s love.
Ephesians 3:16–19 (ESV) — 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
What a great way to begin a week or a day – just think about and pray for the revelation from God’s Holy Spirit of God’s enormous love! As you meditate upon the Scriptures, even those I have brought out in this article, and think about God’s love, it will fill you with appreciation, love for Him, and motivation to serve Him.
Wow! The wonder of God’s great love!
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
