The Dimensions of God's Love: Benevolence, Mercy, Grace, and Persistence.

Love Defined: God’s love is an exercise of his goodness toward individual sinners whereby, having identified himself with their welfare, he has given his Son to be their Savior, and we now are adopted as sons of God being free to know and enjoy God.

(Adapted from J. I. Packer, Knowing God, Pg. 123)

Love Defined:

God’s love is an exercise of his goodness toward individual sinners whereby, having identified himself with their welfare, he has given his Son to be their Savior, and we now are adopted as sons of God being free to know and enjoy God.

The ways God Loves:

- God's Providential love (Matthew 5:45)

- God's Yearning, Salvific Love (Provision of Salvation)

- God's Elective Love (Application of Salvation)

- God's Shepherding Love (Jude 21)

D.A. Carson, Love, found in Alexander, T. Desmond, and Brian S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

- God's Providential love (Matthew 5:45)

- God's Yearning, Salvific Love (Provision of Salvation)

- God's Elective Love (Application of Salvation)

- God's Shepherding Love (Jude 21)

D.A. Carson, Love, found in Alexander, T. Desmond, and Brian S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Today I would like to talk to you about another part of God’s love.

Millard Erickson calls the following categories The Dimensions of God’s Love:

Persistence, Benevolence, Mercy, and Grace.

(Introduction to Christian Theology, pg. 92-95.)

Persistence, Benevolence, Mercy, and Grace.

(Introduction to Christian Theology, pg. 92-95.)

[These are the abstract categories of God’s love.]

Often when we think of how God loves, this is what comes to mind. But when we consider a list like the one D.A. Carson put together, we recognize that Millard Erickson’s Dimensions of Love are different from D.A. Carson’s Ways of God’s Love.

What is the difference between Carson’s list and Erickson’s List?

The difference is Carson’s list is a practical look at God’s love - How does he love us?

Millard Erickson’s list is a an abstract look at God’s love.

[These are the abstract categories of God’s love.]

Millard Erickson calls the kinds of love (the abstract ideas): The Dimensions of God’s love.

Now understand, there is some precedence for this 4 fold distinction of God’s love.

Examples of this 4-fold distinction: Exodus 34:6, Psalm 103:8.

Exodus 34:6 ESV

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Psalm 103:8 ESV

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Millard Erickson’s list will serve as an outline of the lesson this morning.

Persistence:

This at first seemed like an odd word to use to describe God’s Love.

What other words might we use to describe God’s persistent love?

Ex. faithful, steadfast, unconditional, …

Millard Erickson choose this word in order to avoid a difficulty with steadfast, faithful, and unconditional.

Millard Erickson choose persistence in order to avoid a difficulty with steadfast, faithful, and unconditional.

What is the difficulty with describing God’s love with one of those terms?

It may appear that God is unfaithful, not steadfast, and conditional when he gives the final judgement.

Persistence avoids this problem by showing God’s commited love to humanity while avoiding the difficulty other words have in the final judgement.

Thus, Persistence is a really good word selection for this dimension of God’s love.

It may appear that God is unfaithful, not steadfast, and conditional when he gives the final judgement.

Persistence avoids this problem by showing God’s commited love to humanity while avoiding the difficulty other words have in the final judgement.

Persistence Defined: God is persistent in pursuing humanity in love. (Personal Definition)

This is exhibited in God’s long suffering.

This is exhibited in God’s long suffering. (Romans 9:18-22; 1 Peter 3:20, Ezra 3:11)

The Generation of Noah:

1 Peter 3:20 ESV

because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

Israel:

Israel sang a song in Ezra 3:11 about God’s enduring love.

Ezra 3:11 ESV

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Israel sang this first with David, 1 Ch 16:34. Yet, after the exile, the Israelites repeat this song recognizing God’s persistent love, even through an exile.

The NT Generation:

Romans 9:18–22 ESV

So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,

Reason for God’s Patience: The Salvation of Souls.

Reason for God’s Patience: The Salvation of Souls (2 Peter 3:9-10).

2 Peter 3:9–10 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

There is a sense of God’s immediate judgement that he is patience. Ninevah was an example of that. And a sense of the ultimate judgement, salvation in Jesus Christ.

Throughout Human history God has shown persistent love through his long suffering and continued pursuit.

Benevolence:

Benevolence Defined: “Concern of God for the Welfare of those whom He loves”. (Erickson, pg 92)

What is the extent of who God loves?

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 clarifies that the extent of God’s love is for all of the world.

We will not spend an extensive time on this idea because we did last week when we discussed the definition of God’s love.

What is driving the “welfare” in the definition of God’s love is the dimension of benevolence.

[For further information, see the definition of God’s love]

Mercy:

Mercy Defined: God’s goodness toward those in misery and distress. (Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 200.)

Mercy broadly describes anyone in distress.

Mercy Defined: God’s goodness toward those in misery and distress. (Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 200.)

Mercy broadly describes anyone in distress.

Examples of mercy not related to Salvation: Jeremiah 31:20 (Ephraim refers to the N. Kingdom of Israel in this passage); Psalm 103:13-14; Daniel 9:9; Ministry of Jesus (Mark 1:41, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34).

Examples of mercy not related to Salvation: Jeremiah 31:20 (Ephraim refers to the N. Kingdom of Israel in this passage); Psalm 103:13-14; Daniel 9:9, Ministry of Jesus (Mark 1:41, Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34).

Jeremiah 31:20 ESV

Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD.

Psalm 103:13–14 ESV

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Matthew 14:14 ESV

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

This is having mercy on someone in distress, but not salvific specifically.

Eternal Salvation is a specific example of Mercy: Ephesians 2:4-5, 1 Peter 1:3.

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Because of these Acts, God is often mentioned broadly as being merciful: 2 Corinthians 1:3, Psalm 25:6.

2 Corinthians 1:3 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

All of these verses focus on God exhibiting his goodness (kindness) upon those in misery. Sometimes that misery is related to sin, but it does not always mean that.

Grace:

Grace Defined: God’s goodness toward those who deserve only punishment. (Grudem, Pg. 200.)

“It would be possible for God to love unselfishly, with concern for others, but still to insist that this love deserved, thus requiring each person to do something or offer something that would earn the favors received or to be received. Grace, however, means that God supplies us with undeserved favors. He requires nothing from us.” (Erickson, Pg. 93)

The undeserved part of grace is observed in Ephesians 2:8-9.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Grace was demonstrated most obviously in the Covenants: Mosaic (Deut 7:7-9), Abrahamic (Genesis 32:9-10).

Deuteronomy 7:7–9 ESV

It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Other OT Examples: Jonah 4:1-2.

Jonah 4:1–2 ESV

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.

Salvation is specifically by the grace of God: Ephesians 1:7, Titus 2:11.

Salvation is the grace of God: Ephesians 1:7, Titus 2:11.

Titus 2:11 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

Ephesians 1:7 ESV

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Grace is the guarantee of our future:

“If the plan of salvation is certain of accomplishment, then the Christians future is assured” (J. I. Packer, Knowing God, pg. 136)

Salvation is by Grace and so the future promises are also by grace.

Grace is the guarantee of our future:

“If the plan of salvation is certain of accomplishment, then the Christians future is assured” (J. I. Packer, Knowing God, pg. 136)

Salvation is by Grace and so the future promises are also by grace.

Application of the 4 dimensions of God’s Love:

There are two main applications I would like us to consider this morning.

The self-application

Romans 5:6–11 ESV

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

a. Christ was persistent in that our salvation came as we enemies of God.

b. God has been benevolent by dying in our place and making us united in His Resurrection.

c. God has shown mercy by demonstrating his goodness towards us while we were in the bondage of sin.

d. God’s grace has been shown to us by reconciling us to God and adopting us as the Children of God.

a. Christ was persistent in that our salvation came as we enemies of God.

b. God has been benevolent by dying in our place and making us united in His Resurrection.

c. God has shown mercy by demonstrating his goodness towards us while we were in the bondage of sin.

d. God’s grace has been shown to us by reconciling us to God and adopting us as the Children of God.

If God has demonstrated love characterized by persistence, benevolence, grace, and mercy; then what will he withhold from us.

Whether we are facing a trial of agony, despair, grief, depression, fear, pain, or suffering;

Have you ever been thre overwhelmed by the trial you are facing.

It is not because God does not love us, but because he loves us that we are going through this trial. We are never outside God’s love, but always in the midst of his great love.

Or perhaps you are struggling with covetousness and addiction.

Even if you have not said this, perhaps you thought, “I want this and why won’t God give it to me”.

We all have been at place like that.

If God has demonstrated love characterized by persistence, benevolence, grace, and mercy; then what will he withhold from us.

If that was good for us, he would have given it to us.

And so God’s love should be a resting place and a place of hope no matter what the trial or temptation may be.

The Second application I would like to make is:

Self-Less Application

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34–35 ESV

Now I want you to think about this.

God’s love was demonstrated in 4 dimensions: persistence, benevolence, grace, and mercy.

Thus, what does it mean we should love others as Christ loved us?

We should love others with this 4 fold dimension: persistence, benevolence, grace, and mercy.

When we really understand what this means, this becomes a transformative truth in our life.

Next time I am hurt or offended, how does this change my actions and thinking?

How does this change the way I treat my child or parent or grandfather or uncle?

We love them 4-fold ways:

Persistence -

- Even if they reject me, I will persure them in love.

- Even if they hurt me, I will restore that relationship.

Benevolence - We do not simply love in a one for one quota, but are truly concerned for their welfare.

Mercy - We show them love because they are in distress, whether sin or a struggle.

Grace - We do not require anything of our love. We do not demand they make the first move or even make it right. We show them unmerited love.

If we truly loved in this 4-fold dimension, how would this change our relationships?

How would this truth transform my marriage, my parenting, my workplace, …?

What would this kind of love do for my ability to witness?