Love Defined
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6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
I. God Demonstrates
I. God Demonstrates
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Father shows through this sacrificial act how His love isn’t like ours. He is revealing through the “giving of His Son” the great attribute of His love. One that isn’t reciprocal but one way. God demonstrated (commended).
II. His Love
II. His Love
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
How perfect the Fathers love is! It is a love that can only originate from Him.
1 John 4:16 (NKJV)
16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
III. The Focus of His Love
III. The Focus of His Love
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Like the energy of the sun being constricted through the lens of a magnifying glass. His love is every bit as intentional as it is consuming. He demonstrates His magnificent love towards us. In a way that is undeniable. Once we have experienced His love there is no turning back. We can only allow such an all encompassing love to pierce our heart, only to be sliced up and sent back out from every direction. We become a prism to those around us both receiving and extending love. A grateful born again believer is the highest level of human existence.
IV. The Unwarranted Recipient
IV. The Unwarranted Recipient
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Paul doesn’t try to skate around the fact that we are not in a position to expect love from God. In the following verses Paul denounces the idea that we receive His love while we are in good standings with Him. Paul says that we are enemies of God. The word “echtros” is used 30 times in the new testament and it signifies someone who is in direct opposition with great hostility. Paul is showing that when we are dead in sin then we are not only unrighteous before God but set against Him. Our hearts cannot simply love with an unselfish love. It is in our very nature to place ourselves in front of anything else. It is in this rebellious defiant state that God chooses to demonstrate His love. It leaves no room for boasting and sends all the glory directly to Him. When we were alienated against Him, He did what only He could do, not forgive but pay the penalty. The price was high because the offense was so egregious! What was the price that He was willing to pay? What could possibly atone for the offenses of everyone? Not a what but a Who?
V. The Greatest Offering of Love
V. The Greatest Offering of Love
Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Oh what love that He showed! Heaven’s glorious King was willing to take off the eternal and put on the mortal. Something that isn’t in God’s nature, human form. He became flesh so He could suffer and die in the flesh. Only man could die but it was the death of God that could only atone. What you and I couldn’t accomplish in dying a just death Christ did!
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Now that we are reconciled to God through the death of His Son Jesus we must contend to what must our lives look like living as the redeemed. If He offered up His life for us at our worst how much the more should we live to Him since being shown such a magnificent love! John seems to think so.
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
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.