Primary Text: 1 John 3:1-3 Supporting scripture: Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:4-6; 2 Peter 3:11-18; Romans 12:1-2
LOVE OF IMMEASURABLE CONDESCENSION. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us!” The Creator gave his love to his creature whom he had created in his own likeness. He made him capable of fellowship with himself, and, looking upon him with complacency, pronounced him “very good.” God gave his love to man. But our text does not refer to man as he was created by God, but as he was when marred by sin against him. The infinitely Holy bestowed his love upon the unholy, the sinful; the unspeakably Glorious, upon the deeply degraded. He did not give his love to the amiable, the attractive, the worthy, or the lovable. He did not bestow it upon those who were merely immeasurably beneath him, but upon those who were in active rebellion against him.
“God commended his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
The apostle has just pointed out the blessedness which gathers round the new relationship of children of God, both as to its present privilege and as to its future glory. It is the HOPE we have in Christ. And if any one should suggest that it is very questionable doctrine, to assert merely that the sight of Christ by-and-by will make them all that they ought to be, the anticipative reply is ready. That sight will but complete the resemblance which is even now being aimed at and approximated; and it will do this in every case, for even now the expectation of such an issue has a purifying power on all who cherish it.
THIS HOPE HAS IN EVERY CASE A PURIFYING POWER. This cannot be truly said concerning any other hope whatsoever. It is true of this only. He who cherishes it has the instinct of self-preservation within him; he will discipline and train his nature in doing, bearing, resisting, and thus will aim to “perfect holiness in the fear of God.” And the good hope that he shall not fall short is a constant inspiration to him. Evanfga@gmail.com