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Love
of God
God’s Love
One day a single friend
asked a father of four, “Why do you love your kids?” The father thought for a
minute, but the only answer he could come up with was “Because they’re mine.”
The
children had no need to do anything to prove themselves to this father. He took
them just as they were. So it is with God’s love for us. He loves us as we are,
and it is his love that motivates us to trust and obey him in return. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
God’s Love
The love of God is like the
Amazon River flowing down to water one daisy. ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
God’s Love
I asked Jesus how much he
loved me. He stretched out his arms and said, “This much”—and died. ── Michael
P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
God’s Love
A father was tucking in his
six-year-old son for the night. The father asked him, “Son, when does Daddy
love you the most? When you’ve been fighting with your sister and getting into
a lot of trouble? Or when you’ve been real helpful to Mommy and real nice to
everyone?”
The
son thought for a moment and then said, “Both times!”
“Right,”
the father said, “and do you know why?”
“Cause
I’m your special guy,” replied the boy. For that was his daddy’s pet name for
him, “Daddy’s Special Guy.” The boy knew his father loved him, no matter what,
because he was “Daddy’s Special Guy.”
God
loves us the same way. He loves us unconditionally because we are his “special
guys.” ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
God’s Love
On the whole, God’s love
for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for him.— C.S.
Lewis
Mercy
Long ago, a poor woman from
the slums of London was invited to go with a group of people for a holiday at
the ocean. She had never seen the ocean before, and when she saw it, she burst
into tears. Those around her thought it was strange that she should cry when
such a lovely holiday had been given her. “Why in the world are you crying?”
they asked. Pointing to the ocean she answered, “This is the only thing I have
ever seen that there was enough of.”
God
has oceans of mercy. There is enough of it-and God delights to show his mercy
and compassion (Micah 7:19). ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical
Preaching》
Mercy
The story has been told of
a mother who sought from Napoleon the pardon of her son. The emperor said it
was the man’s second offense, and justice demanded his death. “I don’t ask for
justice,” said the mother. “I plead for mercy.”
“But,”
said the emperor, “he does not deserve mercy.”
“Sir,”
cried the mother,” it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I
ask.”
“Well,
then,” said the emperor, “I will show mercy.” And her son was saved. ── Michael
P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Mercy
The story is told of a
politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with
the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and arrived with these
angry words: “This picture does not do me justice!” the photographer replied,
“Sir, with a face like yours, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!” ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Mercy
It is our misery that calls
forth God’s mercy.
A
parent knows how this is. When a child is suffering from a severe cold with a
sore throat, runny nose, severe congestion, and assorted aches and pains, and
all he can do is throw his arms around your neck and cry-what does this evoke
in you as a parent?
It
awakens your pity, and you reach out and try to relieve the child’s distress in
any way you possibly can. Why? Because his misery has called forth your mercy. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
LOVE OF GOD.
Note
the following seven points in relation to the forgiving love of God:--
Ⅰ.
Unmerited in its bestowment
(Col.1:12-14).
Ⅱ.
Divine, in its source (Psalm 130:4).
Ⅲ.
Costly, in its purchase (Eph.1:7).
Ⅳ.
Free, in its manner (Rom.3:24,25).
Ⅴ.
Full, in its extent (Psalm 103:3).
Ⅵ.
Practical, in its outcome (Luke
7:42).
Ⅶ.
Known, in the experience (1.John
2:12).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
LOVE OF GOD—ITS CHARACTER.
Ⅰ.
Unmerited in its Object (1. John 4:10).
Ⅱ.
Unsought in its Action (Rom.5:8).
Ⅲ.
Universal in its Offer (John 3:16).
Ⅳ.
Unbounded in its Work (Eph.2:4).
Ⅴ.
Unknown in its Nature (Eph.3:19).
Ⅵ.
Unbroken in its Ministry (Rom.8:39).
Ⅶ.
Unending in its Character (Jer.31:3).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
LOVE’S SEVENFOLD CORD.
There
is a sevenfold cord of love between the Father and the Son, mentioned in the
Gospel according to John.
Ⅰ.
Committal of Love. “ The Father
loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand” (John 3:35).
Ⅱ.
Complacency of Love. “ Therefore
doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life” (John 10:17).
Ⅲ.
Communion of Love. “ As the Father
hath loved Me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9).
Ⅳ.
Co-equality of Love. “ Thou……hast
loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” ( John 17:23).
Ⅴ.
Character of Love. Eternal. “ Thou
lovedst Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).
Ⅵ.
Constrainment of Love. “ The love
wherewith thou hast loved Me may be in them” (John 17:26).
Ⅶ.
Communication of Love.” The Father
loveth the Son and sheweth Him all things that Himself doeth” ( John 5:20).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
MANNER OF GOD’S LOVE.
1.
John 3:1.
The
manner of His love —
Ⅰ.
He loves as a Father (1. John 3:1). Heartily.
Ⅱ.
He loves as a Mother (Gen.25:28). Tenderly.
Ⅲ.
He loves as a Bridegroom (Gen.24:67). Earnestly.
Ⅳ.
He loves as a Brother ( John 15:9).
Affectionately.
Ⅴ.
He loves as a Shepherd (Luke 15:4-6). Perseveringly.
Ⅵ.
He loves as a Husband (Eph.5:25). Devotedly.
Ⅶ.
He loves as a Sister (John 11:32). Sincerely.
Ⅷ.
He loves as a Friend (Prov.17:17). Constantly.
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》