The Love of God and the Believer (Part 3)

THE EXTENSION OF GOD’S LOVE

The mushroom is a common and widespread fungi. It is recognizable from its step, cap, and gills (under the cap). These are incredible organisms that maintain longevity. While we typically identify mushrooms solely on their fruiting bodies (the stem, cap, and gills), the mushroom is simply part of the mycelium (often located underground or other vegetation). One mushroom colony located in Malheur National Forest (US) is estimated to be about 2,400 years old and spans an estimated 2,200 acres. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mushroom, accessed 24 July 2020)

You could say that this mushroom is extensive. It extends beyond the visible cap and stem. The mycelium extends to other areas, increasing the growth and development of the fungi.

This idea of extension is found in our passage this morning. It is the extension of God’s love, working its way through Christ into us and then extending to others. Like the mycelium found in Malheur National Forest, God’s love, existing before the foundation of the world, spread through His Son, Jesus Christ, and continues to spread today.

Our passage points us to one main thought: because God loved us, we must extend that love to others. Though we have expressed this thought multiple times in this section, we will see several significant points that help us to love one another.

I. EXTENSION OF GOD’S LOVE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST- 4:10

The very first point we will discuss this morning centers on God’s love to us. Now, it our day and age it is popular to be very man-centered in our thinking. If you pick up a random book from the online Christian book store (because it is almost impossible to do so in the COVID-19 world) and chances are it will be centered on us. Many newer songs are centered on us.

But John, as do most of the writers of Scripture, points out that our position in Christ depends upon God’s love set upon us, not ours to Him. John says, “Not that we loved God, but that He loved us!” And God’s love caused Him to send His Son “as propitiation,” or “as an atoning sacrifice” for our sins.

That word propitiation, sometimes translated as atoning sacrifice, is a deep word. It is the deep end of the swimming pool of English. It is like when you are first learning how to swim and your parents tell you to stay on the shallow end of the pool, so you stay away from the deep end.

Well, we are going to swim in the deep end with this word for a time. The word harkens back to the Old Testament sacrifices. For instance, in Leviticus 25:9 we read about the Day of Atonement, that day on which the sins of the people and priests would be atoned for (i.e., covered) through the blood of a goat. The Scriptures state, “to make atonement for himself and for the people” (16:25).

Christ is our atonement, our propitiation, our satisfying the wrath of a holy God for “our sins.” John tells us, in this is love: Christ is our atoning sacrifice. Our severed relationship with God has been restored through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Now get this picture: we are enemies of God. Consider just a few verses:

Romans 8:7-8

Romans 8:7–8 ESV

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

II. Extension Through God’s Children

A. The Basis for Love

B. The Benefit of Love