How can we love the unlovable? How can we overcome bitterness and anger? How can we see relationships mended, marriages repaired, and broken families set right again? The answer is God’s love. Last week we began to examine 1 John 4:7-21. This text contains one of the most famous passages of Scripture, “God is love.” Last week we examined what this famous text means. This week, we want to explore the demonstrations of God’s love. In this text, John brings again to our attention the three great demonstrations of God’s love: Christ’s coming in the flesh, Christ’s propitiation (or satisfaction) for our sin, and the Holy Spirit. We are motivated and empowered to love others through these three examples of God’s love.
God first expressed his love to us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, in the flesh. Boice comments, “God gave the best there was to give. Nothing could be greater than this. Nothing that can possibly be imagined can exceed this gift, for this is that indescribable gift for which Paul can only give thanks as he writes to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!).” John states that the expression of love is God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
The English translators have translated it as only begotten. Still, the emphasis of the phrase is not on the begotten part (For as God, Christ has no beginning), but on the only part. Thus some have rightly chosen to translate it as one and only. God did not send something he had in abundance. God made the ultimate sacrifice and sent his one and only Son. God could have started over when humanity sinned. Instead, he sacrificed on our behalf with the ultimate sacrifice possible. This is God’s love toward you. God cared so much for you that He gave up His Son (His one and only Son) for you!
Diamonds have value because they are rare. River rock does not have much value because it is readily available. When I proposed to Heather, I presented her with a ring. It meant much because, as a poor college student, I saved my pennies and sacrificed to purchase a ring containing a rare stone set in a ring of rare metal (a diamond set in gold). It was a demonstration of how much I love her. I sacrificed and gave something rare and valuable. If I had knelt to ask her to marry me, opening the ring box revealing a ring with a pebble set in wood, she would have rightly questioned how much I cared for her. We know God’s love for us because of what he sacrificed.
If God had only sent His one and only Son as an example, that would have been wonderful. However, the standard would have been unattainable. If God had sent His one and only Son as a way to free us from trouble now and give us our best life now, that would have been kind. However, it would not have freed us from the wrath to come and would most certainly have meant our best life now because the afterlife would then be eternal torment. But God did not do this. Take a moment to read 1 John 4:10.
Our relationship with God is not really about how much we love God but about how much God loves us! Kruse comments, “The demonstration of God’s love was not a mere sending of his one and only son into the world, it was the sending of his son into the world that we might live through him.”
Romans 5 is one of the most amazing and passionate sections of Scripture. Paul begins with the declaration of peace we have with God. He states that we can rejoice in trials because we understand God’s love. This month we have heard stories of those who sacrificed to save lives in Hurricane Ian. We heard of those who left their homes to wade through the floodwaters to rescue stranded people. We saw the image of the man saving the kitten sitting atop an air conditioner. We observed the hundreds of people who drove their fishing boats to Florida to do all they could to help. But consider what Paul is saying here. He is stating something even more spectacular than that. Paul states that Christ died for us while we were still His enemies.
This would be like an individual who lost their entire family in the tragedy of 9/11 jumping in front of the marine’s bullet and dying in Osama Bin Laden’s place. This would be like a father volunteering to go to the electric chair in the place of a man who molested and killed his little daughter. This would be like President George Washington voluntarily being hanged in place of Benedict Arnold. This is insanity. But this is the amazing love of God for you.
Paul uses the word propitiation in this text. It is a vital word for salvation. It is a word meaning satisfaction. It is a word that emphasizes that God’s justice was met in Christ. It means that the punishment for our sins was satisfied in Christ. Again Boice comments, “Who are those for whom Christ died? Not lovely people by God’s reckoning, but sinners, those who had rebelled against God and hated him. Indeed, they were those who would crucify his Son out of hatred for him. And such are we all. Consequently, the measure of God’s love is seen in the fact that he gave his Son to die for such as ourselves.” God sent his one and only Son to die for us, who did not deserve love but wrath. “How can a loving God send anyone to Hell?” is entirely the wrong question. Instead, the question should be, “How is it possible that God could be so loving He would sacrifice His one and only Son so that anyone could go to heaven?”
But God did not stop there. He continued and gave us His Spirit. John states this in verse 13. The knowledge of this indwelling of the Holy Spirit provides the believer with an assurance of his membership in the family of God. Romans 8:16 states, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
When you question God’s love for you, consider that Christ came in the flesh, that Christ took your place on the cross, and that God sealed you with His Holy Spirit. He will surely take care of you in the challenges you face. When you struggle, look to the cross!