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How much does God love His Christians?

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  • How much does God love His Christians?

    News Chief, FL
    Nov 1 2008


    How much does God love His Christians?

    BY GUY FISHER
    Guest columnist


    "Think what great love the Father has lavished on us!" (1 John 3:1)

    First, God revealed that He loved the world (kosmos: all human beings)
    so much that He gave His uniquely born Beloved Son as a sacrificial
    offering for all (1 John 2:2). This meant that Jesus Christ would bear
    the wrath of God on the cruel Tree to make atonement for our sin.

    Anyone who responds in faith to Jesus Christ is instantly transformed
    from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. (John
    3:16; 5:24).

    Next, God reveals that He loves true Israel with an everlasting
    love. Indeed, a primary reason for which the Son of God came into this
    world as the Son of Man, was to manifest Himself, in person, to Israel
    as their Messiah and King.

    Christ declared: "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel... to
    confirm God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (Matthew
    15:24; Romans 15:8). These promises, hundreds of them, will be
    literally fulfilled at His second advent.

    Then, God revealed that He loves with an unconditional and eternal
    love (agape) all those who put their faith in His Son. All who become
    members of His body are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the
    heavenlies, and are given everything necessary for life and
    godliness..." (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3).

    This endowment is given to every believer in the Church Age, bar
    none. This is God's genuine equality which only grace
    provides. Provided, but sadly little exploited by us to the full,
    because we fail to seriously "grow in the grace and knowledge of
    Christ ... and thus become mature."

    The edified believer basics in God's love promise which pledges: "He
    (God, the Father) who spared not His Son ... will He not with Him give
    us all things ... All things are yours ... so that in all things at
    all times, having all we need, we will abound in every good work."

    These are foundational doctrines. God's gifts and promises stagger
    us. "We are loved by God the Father and kept (secure) in Jesus Christ
    by Him" (not ourselves!). Lets travel a step further.

    First, a brief preface: Almighty God is one God, manifested in three
    persons. All three persons: Father, Son and Spirit are perfect in
    truth, purpose, agreement, fellowship and love toward each other.

    Listen to the Son: "I always do those things which please the Father
    ... I and the Father are one ... If you have seen Me, you have seen
    the Father."

    Listen to the Father: "Jesus Christ is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am
    well-pleased ... the Son of my love ... My chosen One in whom my soul
    delights."

    How much does the Father love His Son? It is immeasurable, but
    perfect, unconditional, unchanging and eternal. No one can ever
    discover any deficiency in that perfect love.

    Now, attention! How much does God love those who put their faith in
    His Son? Listen closely, this will overwhelm. On the eve of His
    betrayal and murder at the hands of men, the Son prayed to His
    Father. Zero in on this incredible revelation.

    "You (Father) have loved them (those who believe in Christ) even as
    you have loved Me." If this doesn't send a spiritual lightning bolt
    cascading through your soul - you've been on pabulum, instead of solid
    food!

    "Wake up, 0' sleeper!" (Ephesians 5:14). God tells us that He loves
    those who trust in His Son even as He loves His Beloved Son! This is
    not a matter of feelings, experiences or signs and wonders. It is
    simply faith in facts!

    The Apostle John puts it like this: "Not that we loved God, but that
    He loved us! And, so we know and rely on the love God has for us!" We
    do not rely on self for anything. God teaches endlessly, that the one
    trusting in self is a fool.

    This glad truth totally dismantles the Armenian notion of salvation
    insecurity. Such a thought contradicting God's unconditional and
    eternal love is unworthy of the least of His saints.

    Our Lord now reveals the outcome of simply believing His Word. Listen
    to this promise! If we but simply believe His promise, we "will have
    the full measure of His joy within us." This is a breathtaking truth.

    "But," the weak believer asks, "It is not working for me. I don't
    rejoice all the time. I still worry, doubt, fear for the family,
    country, economy, future. Why is my faith so weak?"

    Our Lord gives the reason and the solution for this common
    malady. What is the master key which unlocks the door to abundant
    life, joy and gratitude?

    "I gave them your Word (in order for believers) to have the full
    measure of my joy within them." This is the key to set us free from
    self's weaknesses. "If you continue in my Word, you will know the
    truth, and be set free!"

    Failure to experience the treasures of God's endowment is always due
    to neglect of His Word. (Beware: Wrongly dividing His Word by applying
    Christ's message for another Age, say the Age of Law (Mosaic) or the
    Age of the future Kingdom, instead of the Mystery doctrine of the
    Church Age will cause endless confusion.)

    First, God "gave them eternal life." Then follows, "Sanctify (set
    apart from self to God) by thy truth. Your Word is truth (doctrinal
    absolutes)."

    This is always the solution to every problem. "My people are destroyed
    because of the lack of knowledge (of sound doctrine)." "The
    complacency of fools (not listening to all my Words) will destroy
    them. But, listen, and you will be kept safe." This is reiterated
    countless times in countless ways.

    What more could we ask for? "Increase my faith, Lord!" Again, the
    identical cure is prescribed. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
    the Word of God." This is the church's ("the pillar and foundation of
    the truth") priority! Everything else of value flows from this: Grace
    and Truth!

    Our Lord commands: "Man shall live (not merely read), but live by
    every Word of God. There are more than 770,000 words in God's
    completed Book. We'd better get crackin'!

    "The Lord direct your hearts into God's love" (1 Thessalonians 3:5)

    Guy Fisher is a retired pastor and a resident of Lake Wales.

    http://www.newschief.com/article/20081101/ NEWS/811010344/1022/LIVING?Title=How_much_does_God _love_His_Christians_
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