Because He First Loved Us

For God So Loved the World

 

This is probably the most well-known scripture in the world and the most often quoted. You’ve probably seen it on buses, billboards, on signs at sporting events, even under the eyes of football quarterbacks.

 

John 3:16 KJV  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Any of you parents in here willing to offer up one of your children for the sake of a selfish, unloving, and ungodly people.

[I know there are probably times you’d consider it, right? But I mean really.]

God loves us plain and simple. Like any father, he wants what’s best for us.

Of course, God knew he would resurrect Christ afterwards but who wants their child to suffer, especially the awful anguish that Jesus suffered in the scourging prior to being crucified and then having nails, like railroad spikes, driven through his wrists and his feet, hanging there in shame and horror as he slowly suffocated, bled, and died.

It’s hard to imagine what that must have been like. God, I’m sure, didn’t want that for his son any more than Jesus wanted to go through it. But God’s love for us is so great he actually planned it ahead of time. And Christ’s love for us is so great that he willingly carried it out.

He endured it for our sake. According to the plan made with the Father before the foundation of the world, he made himself of no reputation, and took the form of a servant made in the likeness of men.

He gave up the glory that he had with the Father before the world was. (Joh 17:5) He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Php 2:7-8 KJV)

This was no happenstance event. Christ didn’t just fall into the hands of the Romans and the Sanhedrin. He gave himself up willingly. (John 10:18)

He laid down his life not just for us only, those who believe, but for the whole world, even for those who crucified him. For everybody!

Even before we accepted him as Lord, while we were yet sinners and unworthy of such a supreme sacrifice; while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!

 

Rom 5:1-11 KJV

(1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: [Why?]

knowing that tribulation worketh patience [perseverance – NKJV];

(4)  And [perseverance], experience [character – NKJV]; and [character], hope:

(5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost [Spirit] which is given unto us.

(6)  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

 

[We were all ungodly yet Christ died for us!]

 

(7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

(8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

(10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

(11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

If Christ died for us when we were but ungodly sinners, how much more should we rejoice now that we’ve been reconciled and have been given the earnest of God’s Holy Spirit to become glorious spirit beings at Christ’s return?

God loved us even when we were wretched and rebellious! We were enmity Paul says, hostile. We weren’t converted yet. We hadn’t yet repented of our sins. We hadn’t been baptized. But yet God gave his Son as a propitiation, an atoning sacrifice, for our ungodly and sinful behavior. And not for ours only but also for the whole world! (1Jn 2:2)

God loved us then. Even then.

And He loves us still.

SPS - Because He first loved us, we can endure all things; we can rejoice in tribulation; and we love Him and trust him because we know He loves us.

 

It’s amazing that the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe who made all things knows us; he knows every hair on our heads, and He loves us!

And God has forgiven our sin. (Isa 43:25; Heb 10:17; 1Jn 1:9)

But have we?

Have we forgiven ourselves for our sin? God said he’s forgiven us, but have we? Do we walk in newness of life or do we mentally and spiritually return to the muck and the mire where we were found? Mentally reviewing our former sins until we feel uncertain of God’s immense love for us?

There are times when we’re certain. But are we confident in God’s love all the time or do we waver and become doubtful?

Are You Worthy?

Luk 21:34-36 KJV

(34)  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, [over-indulgence] and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

(35)  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

(36)  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

What makes one worthy? What is the accounting process that discerns whether or not we are worthy?

Many Christ followers struggle with feeling “worthy.” This especially comes into play when there is a delay. Why isn’t God leading me? Why isn’t he answering my prayers? Why don’t I feel God’s presence?

For these believers, the answer is easy – they just aren’t worthy of God’s attention. That’s the conclusion they come to.

David, on the other hand, always seemed so certain of God’s love.

How was it that David was so convicted, so convinced, so certain of God’s love for him? Let’s take a look at a time when David might not have been so certain.

Psalm 34 – For many people this is one of their favorite Psalms when they’re feeling fearful, anxious or depressed.

David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary

This psalm is titled A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. A fugitive from Saul, David went to the Philistine city of Gath but found no refuge there and narrowly escaped. Those events are recorded in 1Sa_21:10 to 1Sa_22:1. Following that, David went to the cave at Adullam where many desperate men joined him. This joyful and wise psalm seems to have been written from that cave, and sung in the presence of those men.

 

Psa 34:4-7 KJV

(4)  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

(5)  They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

(6)  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

(7)  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

 

In this text “poor” doesn’t mean lacking material possessions but just like in Matthew 5:3 it means poor in spirit, lowly, afflicted, wretched, depressed, powerless. Just like we feel sometimes. And what does it say?

…and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

 

David Guzik (cont.)

b. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears: David’s simple testimony is still powerful thousands of years later. David sought the LORD – looked to Him in loving trust. God then heard His servant, with the implication that He heard him with love, sympathy, and action. God responded when He delivered David from all his fears.

c. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed: In moving from “I” to “They,” David indicates that this experience was not his alone. Many others have known and will know what it is to set the focus of their loving trust upon God and receive His help.

i. They looked to Him: “The more we can think upon our Lord, and the less upon ourselves, the better. Looking to him, as he is seated upon the right hand of the throne of God, will keep our heads, and especially our hearts, steady when going through the deep waters of affliction.” (Smith, cited in Spurgeon)

iv. And their faces were not ashamed: David also knew that God would never forsake the one who trusts in Him. God would give him confidence in the moment and vindication in time.

d. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him: David again emphasized his personal experience of these truths. He was the one. He was the poor man who cried out to God, and God graciously answered.

e. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him: David narrowly escaped death among the Philistines. He was still a hunted, wanted man with King Saul determined to kill him. A rag-tag group of desperate losers gathered to him at Adullam. David was at a genuine low point; yet he was still filled with praise and trust, even knowing that God had an angelic camp all around him.

i. The triumph and joy of this song is so clear that it is easy to forget the life context of the psalm. “It is for people who find themselves at the absolute low point in life, which is where David was. Or find themselves between a rock, which in this case was King Saul, and a hard place, which was King Achish. It is for you when everything seems against you.” (Boice)

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Even David had his low points but was he uncertain of God’s love for him? Nope. Even then, he turned to God for protection, solace, and inspiration. When he was feeling his lowest; when he looked around and all seemed hopeless, he still had faith in God.

God could have stepped in earlier and not allowed him to get into such a predicament. Why God allowed it, we’re not told. But David had a close personal relationship with God and absolutely knew God loved him. He didn’t question his worthiness of God’s love. It never occurred to him to question God’s love. He was after all a man after God’s own heart (Act 13:22) and he trusted him implicitly. He trusted him completely.

And so can we. And so we should.

You don’t have to feel worthy to have faith. We can still trust in God and Jesus Christ because they are worthy.

 

Here’s the story of a man, a Roman soldier, who believed in Jesus and sought him out to make a humble plea of him to heal one of his servants who was paralytic. Jesus offered to come to his house and heal him but no, no, this was the man’s response.

Mat 8:8-10 KJV

(8)  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:

[I’m not worthy that you should even step into my house. I’m not worthy to loosen the latchet of your shoe. Sounds a little like John the Baptist.]

 

but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

 

(10)  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

 

This man didn’t feel worthy of Jesus’ favor. He was an authority figure in the army occupying the country where Jesus lived. He didn’t feel worthy of his compassion. Faith was all this man had.

But when faith is all you have; faith is all you need.

Though our circumstance may appear dire, it doesn’t matter how we feel about it. Whether or not we feel worthy of God’s compassion need not be called into question. We live by faith and not by sight. Nor do we trust our feelings.

Let’s have another look at Luke 21:36 –

Luk 21:34-36 KJV

(34)  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

(35)  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

(36)  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Watch therefore, (comma) and pray always, (comma)

As we’ve seen in the account of Jesus’ response to the thief on the cross, “Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise”, commas are important. (Luk 23:43)

Watch therefore, (comma) and pray always, (comma) WHY? “that ye” SO THAT you may be accounted worthy.

Be attentive to your spiritual condition, and pray always, SO THAT you may be accounted worthy. It’s because you’re minding your spiritual condition and not becoming overwhelmed with the cares of this life and praying to develop a close relationship with God that puts you in a position to be accounted worthy!

(2Pet 1:10 – make your calling and election sure, lest you fall)

Does the obedient and respectful child worry whether he will be accounted worthy to go to the carnival with the family? No, he knows that he will because he is in good stead with his father and mother. It’s the disobedient and obstinate child that has to worry.

Does the obedient and respectful child feel timid coming into the presence of his father? No, it’s the disobedient and obstinate child that’s fearful.

This verse doesn’t mean to pray that you’ll be accounted worthy out of some fog of doubt. It means to be serious about the business of developing godly character and praying to God in order to develop a close enough relationship such that when time comes, Jesus will be able to say, “Yes, I know him. He’s one of mine.”

Just like the obedient and respectful child, we’re in good standing with our Father. And just like David, we have no reason to be uncertain of his love.

Keep in mind, in and of ourselves, we are NOT worthy. We need to stop trying to feel like we can somehow gin up worthiness. We never will in this fleshly existence. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. Even if we did, the moment we felt worthy, we risk becoming prideful like Job.

Christ alone is worthy. So, we must put on Christ! (Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27)

Any worthiness we might have is only because Jesus Christ is worthy. And only because we have a close relationship with Him.

It’s our deceitful heart that betrays us and causes us to feel unworthy of God’s love and Christ’s atoning blood. Sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. I know. I can self-sabotage with the best of them.

 

If Our Heart Condemn Us Not

 

Each and every one of us knows ourselves better than anyone except maybe God. But God knows our potential better than anyone. He knows who we can become. He loves us and has our best interest at heart.

Sometimes though, because of something in our past or maybe even a recent infraction we can feel unloved and our heart condemns us. Though we know the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, it can still be quite convincing. We have a guilty conscience that can cause us to hesitate, to not feel good enough. But we cannot base our relationship with Him purely on how we feel in His presence. God is greater than our heart.

 

1Jn 3:18-22 KJV

(18)  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

(19)  And hereby we know that we are of the truth,

[And by this, we know we are of the truth if our words and deeds reflect that. We show the work of the law written in our hearts, our conscience also bearing witness. (Rom 2:15)]

 

and shall assure our hearts before him.

(20)  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

 

If our heart condemns us but it’s unwarranted, and we feel unworthy of His love for no legitimate reason, God knows that and will correct us and encourage us.

We need to let go of unhealthy feelings of self-condemnation.

Deny self, yes. Have humility, yes. Submit obediently to God, yes.

But self-condemnation unjustifiably, no.

Who among us has a son or daughter who continually runs themselves down? One who continually says they can’t do it and lacks confidence? Do we like to see this? Do we allow it to continue or do we encourage them? Do we let them wallow in their self-pity or do we bolster them and build up their self-confidence? Instead, we remind them of our love for them and our confidence in them. We remind them of past successes and how they overcame their initial reluctance and difficulties.

 

(21)  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

(22)  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

 

If we’re obedient and do those things that please God then we’re in good stead with God. If we’ve repented of our sins and been forgiven, we’re in right standing. We’re growing in grace and knowledge. We feel confident. We don’t have a guilty conscience so we feel confident and comfortable entering his presence.

It’s the reason David was always so certain of God’s love. He was always seeking those things that were close to God’s heart. He readily admitted his faults, repented and God forgave him. It’s the reason we’ll be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man in that day.

And not because of anything we’ve done but because of who Christ is and what he’s done. Not because we are worthy but because Christ is worthy and we are Christ’s.

Rom 8:1,14-15 KJV

(1)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(14)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

(15)  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, [the Spirit of sonship] whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)

A Clear Conscience Towards God

 

Our conscience has a way of informing us of our guilt. For example, if we have offended someone our conscience informs us that we could have handled that better. If we have not been diligent in our studies of God’s word, our conscience is pricked and God’s Holy Spirit convicts us of our negligence. If our prayer life has been slacking lately our conscience lets us know.

CAUTION: If we ignore their prompting, we can sear the conscience and quench the Spirit such that after a while we no longer hear them. (1Tim 4:2; 1Th 5:19)

For the most part we know what we should be doing. We know if we have been seeking God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength or not. It’s our guilty conscience and God’s Holy Spirit that work together to keep us on the right track.

 

But if we get derailed by our deceitful heart, we get back on track through the washing of the water by the word of God. (Eph 5:26)

 

Peter and Paul both speak of having a good conscience towards God and man.

Peter speaks of holding still for bad treatment from others when we did nothing wrong and doing so for a God’s sake.

 

1Pe 2:19-20 KJV

(19)  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

(20)  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Because we have a clear conscience toward God and do it for his sake and the gospel’s.

 

And Peter speaks of having a good conscience toward even those that speak evil of us that they may be ashamed of their behavior at some point in the future.

1Pe 3:15-17 KJV

(15)  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: [humility and respect]

(16)  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

(17)  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

 

He cites baptism as a means of providing us with a good conscience toward God as a semblance of the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

(1Pe 3:21 KJV)  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

 

Paul tells how he has striven to always have a good conscience before God void of offense toward God and man.

 

(Act 23:1 KJV)  And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

(Act 24:16 KJV)  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

 

How do we do that? How do we exercise ourselves to always have a good conscience before God, one void of offence toward God and man?

 

I think we know. We’re about to enter that period where we are preparing to take the Passover. We will be examining ourselves, taking stock of our spiritual status before God and man. We will be asking God as David did to examine our hearts to see if there be any wicked way in us.

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psa 139:23-24)

And the Holy Spirit leads us to confess our sins and our transgressions and weaknesses to God our Father, our Abba. We lay all our faults and inadequacy before him and confess that all our strength is but weakness, and our only strength comes from him. We repent and ask for his forgiveness. And he is faithful and just to forgive. The result being a heart that is cleansed and a pure conscience before God.

 

We allow the blood of Christ, our sacrificial Lamb, our Passover, to wash over us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Creating in us a clean heart and a pure conscience.

 

(Heb 9:14 KJV)  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

Heb 10:19-23 KJV

(19)  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

(20)  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

(21)  And having an high priest over the house of God;

(22)  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [the water of the word, living water]

(23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

 

God’s Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

 

There may be sorrow for a short time but joy fills our hearts.

Joh 16:20-22 KJV

(20)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

(21)  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

(22)  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

 

Our Deliverer is coming!

And as soon as we’re delivered, we will no longer remember our anguish. Sorrow shall be turned to joy!

 

Joh 16:27 KJV  For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Joh 16:33 KJV  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Every day this world falls further from grace we can experience more of the peace Jesus left us with.

Joh 14:27 KJV  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Let’s return to Luke chapter 21. When these things begin to come to pass we know the time is near.

Luk 21:25-28 KJV

(25)  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

(26)  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

(27)  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

(28)  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

When everything seems to be falling apart, we see things falling into place.

The Plan of God is coming together and our redemption draws ever nearer. Look up to see the Saviour. Lift up your heads. Don’t hang them in shame or defeat but lift up your countenance and rejoice.

Our Deliverer is coming!

 

Lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh! It becomes more and more exciting as we see that day approaching! It’s really happening! Just as he said!

We’ll at last hear those words we long to hear.

Well done good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

 

John sums it all up nicely in the 4^th chapter of 1^st  John -

1Jn 4:9-19 KJV

(9)  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

(10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

(11)  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

 

(16)  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

(17)  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

(18)  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

(19)  We love him, because he first loved us.

 

We love him, because he first loved us.

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