The love God has for us!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us! God is love." (1 John 4:16)

The sweeter the truth — the more backward we often are to receive and believe it. Therefore it must be presented to us again and again. What is more pleasant, than the fact that "God is love"?

Yet so quickly we doubt it, or forget it, or fail to realize it. Therefore the Gospel presents it to us again and again, and in almost every possible form. Twice within the scope of a few verses, John tells us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8,16).

Belief in this portrayal of God lies at the root of our holiness, happiness, and peace. To the extent that we believe that "God is love" — we will . . .
   consecrate ourselves to His service,
   enjoy peace in our consciences,
   and be happy in His ways.

God loves us, and therefore He planned our salvation, sending His one and only Son to take away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. He also sent His Holy Spirit to teach us our need of Christ and lead us to Him. And, finally, He has put His blessed Word in our hands so that through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

God loves us — and therefore He . . .
   chastens us,
   strips us, and
   empties us.
He will not let us live satisfied without Himself.

God is love — therefore He has provided an atonement for all our sins. His justice is satisfied, and Heaven is prepared for us!

Yes, though we were sinners by nature, and deeply feel it — though we are not all that we wish to be, and deeply deplore it — yet God loves us!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, who in His love and in His pity has redeemed me!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins!" (1 John 4:10)