Attributes of God (His great love)

Here’s a working definition. God’s love means that God eternally gives of Himself to others. This definition understands love as self-giving for the benefit of others. This attribute of God shows that it is part of his nature to give of himself in order to bring about blessing or good for others.

His love is ETERNAL. John tells us that “God is love” (). Do you think that this attribute of God was active before creation? (See ) (circle YES or NO)

So there was love and a giving of honor from the Father to the Son from all eternity. It continues at the present time, for we read, “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand” (). Even the unfolding of redemptive history finds its ultimate source in the loving relationships in the Godhead.

His love is RECIPROCAL. What Jesus say in ? _________________________________________________

Part of the aim of the mission of Jesus was to teach the world of His love for the Father. How might we do that?

As the love of Jesus’ disciples for their Master is attested by their obedience (vv. 15, 21, 23), so also does the Son himself remain in his Father’s love by keeping his commandments (8:29; 15:10). Jesus’ love for and obedience toward his Father are supremely displayed in his willingness to sacrifice his own life (10:17–18).

This eternal love of the Father for the Son, the Son for the Father, and of both for the Holy Spirit makes heaven a world of love and joy because each person of the Trinity seeks to bring joy and happiness to the other two.

His love is SELF-GIVING. How is this self-giving expressed to sinful man ()? ____________________________________

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 199). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Guthrie, D. (1994). John. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1056). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.As the love of Jesus’ disciples for their Master is attested by their obedience (vv. 15, 21, 23), so also does the Son himself remain in his Father’s love by keeping his commandments (8:29; 15:10). Jesus’ love for and obedience toward his Father are supremely displayed in his willingness to sacrifice his own life (10:17–18).

We cannot point anyone to the love of God without pointing them to the atonement! (which entails God’s justice, wrath, holiness, righteousness, and our sin). SIDE NOTE: A mark of a false teacher who tries to explain God’s love apart from these truths, is describing a unbiblical love. It is one of the NT’s resounding paradoxes that it is God’s love that averts God’s wrath from us, and indeed that it is precisely in this averting of wrath that we see what real love is.

Who’s love is displayed in the following verse:

Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 509). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

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May we be made aware of the direct personal application of the Triune God’s love to individual sinners. It’s His nature to give of Himself this way towards us to bring us true joy and happiness. It is God’s nature to act that way toward those upon whom he has set his love, and he will continue to act that way toward us for all eternity.

God’s love (as amazing as it is) is a communicable attribute. Meaning, it’s one attribute that He allows us to share in. So we imitate this attribute first by loving God in return and then by loving others in the same way that He loves us!

37 "He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 "This is the greatest and most important command.” ()

We will love God and not the what? () ___________

What is our love for God? () ____________________

And we do all this why? () ____________________

It is one of the most amazing facts in all Scripture that just as God’s love involves his giving of himself to make us happy, so we can in return give of ourselves and actually bring joy to God’s heart. Isaiah promises God’s people,

"For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a groom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.” ()

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 199). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

And Zephaniah tells God’s people: "The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.” 18 "I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; they will be a tribute from you and a reproach on her.” ()

Our imitation of God’s love is also seen in our love for others. What’s John make perfectly clear? () __________

In fact, our love for others within the fellowship of believers is so evidently an imitation of Christ that by it the world recognizes us as his: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (; cf. 15:13; ; ; ). God himself gives us his love to enable us to love each other (; ). Moreover, our love for our enemies especially reflects God’s love () especially because you were His enemy (, , Colossians 1:21).

Morris, L. L. (1994). 1 John. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 1407). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.