People who love much will give much. You can see the truth and reality of their love by their generosity and sacrifice and self-denial. Theirs is a love that spares nothing. It is a giving love.
"For God so loved the world that he gave"
He gave although it was us who owed.
We owed everything and yet he is the one who gives.
He gives the best
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son"
There is no-one to compare with Jesus. No being anywhere in the universe whose worth can even be expressed as a fraction of the Son's. There aren't words to describe his majesty. When God gave God for us he gave himself. What more could he give? God gave his all: he gave himself. Who can measure this love?
He gives what we need
If you want to see Gods love, go and stand at the cross. It seems an ugly place to stand to see something so beautiful. But let me tell you why. God's love is not his overarching quality. First of all he is a holy God, and in his holiness he cannot and will not tolerate sin. All sin must be punished. There is no way that God will let anyone off the hook. But as sure as he is holy he is also loving, and in his love he has provided what we don't deserve. He has provided what we need most - the opportunity for a switch to take place - he offers to take our punishment so that we can experience the delights of his Heaven. How loving! What love!
He gives extravagantly
He gives and he gives and he gives. God's love is extravagant. God is not niggardly in the way He loves. He lavishes blessings upon His loved ones.
Eternal Life
Holy Spirit
Christ's perfect righteousness
Clear conscience
Forgiveness
Strength to withstand temptation
Grace to endure difficulties
Promises never to lack anything we need
A future; secure and planned entirely for our benefit
Hope
Rest
Peace
Answered prayer
Unanswered prayer
Family
Friendship
Happiness
Contentment
Health
Possessions
The list is endless. The psalmist says, "He does not withhold any good thing from them". Paul writes, "He causes all things to work for their good".
When we consider the glories we are going to enjoy, the pleasures of Heaven, we see something of the extravagance of God's love. But these are nothing compared to the extravagance in his giving his son. It is the greatest gift, far above and beyond anything else we will ever get.
This is of great comfort too. Like a father who buys his son the most wonderful toy, which has cost hundreds of pounds. He's had to work overtime and take on extra work to save enough. And you should see the excitement on the little chap's face as he opens his present - he's thrilled. He looks and turns the box round and round. And then he opens it and looks at it in all its glory. And then after a moment his face falls. His father asks, "what's wrong?" The little chap comes and says, "It needs batteries Daddy". "Son here they are, do you think after all I've spent I wouldn't get you batteries?"
Sometimes we worry about batteries. After all God has given us in his son we worry about the batteries of life.
Paul writes in Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?God's love is a giving love and he gives extravagantly.
Are you worried about something, or someone? Are you wondering whether God's love is enough to love you in spite of your past? Are you wondering whether God will love you enough to give you the grace you need to get through a particular situation?
He's given you his son. Lift your eyes to the Son, see his great value and trust God for he will freely give you all things.
They are as nothing. After all he's given, he'll be to you and give to you all that you need for every situation you find yourself in.
He gives freely
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes"
How much does it cost to he the recipient of this great love? What do I have to do? Nothing - just come to him in faith. Believe what he says. Believe what he holds out to you.
His love is priceless, yet he offers it at no price to you.
Fellow believer - how thankful we should be. Look at how low a price God requires. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.
God's love is a giving love
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