Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us... 1 John 3:1a NKJV
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:9-11 NKJV
God's Love. Many speak of it. Many sing about it. Many quote passages about the Love of God. Yet, how many have actually experienced the Love of the Father? How many have received the Love of the Father?
Too often we see believers struggle in their walk. They struggle with their identity. Many still seem to be plagued by thoughts of lowliness, poor self-image, and low self-esteem. Why? Because though they've received Jesus' free gift of Grace they haven't fully known and understood and received fully the great Love with which God loves them.
The Love of the Father is great. It is matchless. There is nothing like it to compare. He loves us with a furious, passionate Love that will never be quenched. His love is unconditional. His Love meets people right where they are. His Love shows up in the fiery furnace, His Love parts the seas so we can walk on dry ground, His Love takes our place, paying the full price for our inheritance and redemption. This is the Love of the Father.
To help people receive and experience the Father's Love let's examine this Love. Let's see what happens when this Love is welcomed, sought out, and received. Let's see why this Love is irresistible.
1. The irresistible Love of God forgives
God and His great Love brings forgiveness to even the most unworthy. To those even the world and religion say is unworthy.
47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:47-50 NKJV
In Luke 7 we see an amazing account of the Love of the Father and forgiveness. A woman with a bad reputation, a sinner, one who was not living right, who was living in and practicing sin, sought out this Love. She welcomed it. She received it and found forgiveness.
The beauty of this Love is that forgiveness has been purchased for all who will simply receive it. No matter how far you've fallen His great Love is there offering forgiveness. This Love forgives the worst of us and makes us accepted and approved. This love is irresistible.
2. The irresistible Love of the Father Transforms
God and His great Love transforms the lives of all those who receive it. He takes us from sinner to saint. He takes us from unrighteous to Righteous, being made the very Righteousness of God in Christ.
In Luke 19 we see an amazing account of how this Love welcomed and received brought forth transformation.
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; Luke 19:8-9 NKJV
This is amazing, irresistible Love. Zacchaeus, without any commands, or orders from Jesus, made a change. The Love of the Father met Him right where he was. He went to his home. Jesus didn't wink at his wrongful practices and dishonesty. He didn't excuse it away. In fact, He didn't even mention it.
Jesus, the Love of God in action, just showed up. He showed Zacchaeus the Love of the Father. That Love received transformed him. He at that moment realized he was no longer going to cheat and mistreat people. That's Godly transformation. No condemnation. No browbeating him for his transgressions. Just the extravagant, irresistible Love of the Father manifested and welcomed and received.
3. The irresistible Love of the Father gives the gift of no condemnation
In John 8, we see a powerful example of the Goodness and Love of the Father. A woman was brought before Jesus caught in the actual act of adultery. She was guilty. It was as clear as if they caught the act on security camera footage. There was no denying her guilt. Yet what was Jesus' response?
7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:7, 10-11 NKJV
Jesus gave this guilty woman the gift of no condemnation. If Jesus gave this guilty woman the gift of no condemnation how much more will the Love of the Father bestow this great gift upon us in the New Covenant? The irresistible Love of the Father brings restoration and wholeness to all who receive it. It removes guilt and shame and the burden of condemnation. It gives Grace and mercy which brings about transformation and right thinking.
In summation, we see just a few reasons why this Love of the Father is so irresistible. We will continue in our next study seeing the other two reasons why this Love of the Father is so irresistible. Receiving the Love of the Father brings wholeness and peace. It reveals to us our true identity and our worth to God. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem cannot stay when we receive this extravagant irresistible Love of the Father.
No comments:
Post a Comment