D - God's Character Pt. 5

Long of Nose = slow to anger

Exodus 34:6 (NIV)

6 … “compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loyal love and faithfulness”

Today we are going to spend some time talking about God’s fourth attribute known as Loyal Love.

Loyal Love = Khessed

The word Khessed is a hard word to translate because it means more than just loyal love. It combines these three things together to make this word:

Love

generosity

Commitment

It describes a promise keeping loyalty that is motivated by deep personal care. So for instance, when I married Mrs. Stephanie and we did our vows I said something like this:

I promise to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.

I made these promises because I care and love Mrs. Stephanie deeply and those of us that are married in here have made a similar promise to their spouse as well.

We call that Loyal Love or Khessed.

Let’s take a look at what we read on Sunday:

1 John 3:16–18 NIV

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

We can show others we are committed to them, I want to take a second to remind you that we are committed to you. And no one is more committed to you than your house parents.

They cook for you, take care of you, provide spaces for you to live your life and to enjoy things. They take you to school to see your friends even if you don’t want to because It’s good for you and they love you.

And they do it day in and day out.

How can we show others we care for them and are committed to them?

See, Jesus remind us of something:

We know what love is because God’s image is on us. We know what love is because Jesus has shown us what love is, so we have the opportunity to love other now.

But how can you tell people you love them but not show it? That doesn’t make sense right? I want us to spend some time going over these discussion questions in our small groups:

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the following passage portray God’s loyal love?

1 John 3: 16-18

2. How are we called to respond to God’s loyal and loving character?

3. How can we show others we are committed to them in loyal love?