“The greatest cause in the world is joyfully rescuing people from hell, meeting their earthly needs, making them glad in God, and doing it with a kind, serious pleasure that makes Christ look like the Treasure He is.”
-John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

The Love of God, part 3

The copy of Knowing God that I have is an older used copy. I do not know who had the book before me, but I really benefited from their notes in the margin. At the end of this chapter on love, the previous reader wrote these words:

I don't deserve His love at all--yet I know I have it. How is it that I dare to judge others as unworthy of my love?

God used these words from someone who I know not to convict, remind, and encourage me to be thankful for God's love to me, a sinner, and to love others unconditionally. I hope and pray that, like me, you were encouraged to give love to all people.

The Love of God, part 2

Does the love of God really mean all that this one book describes and more??? If so, Packer gives us these questions that we should be asking ourself:

*Why do I EVER grumble and show discontent and resentment at the circumstances in which God has placed me?

*Why am I EVER distrustful, fearful, or depressed?

*Why do I EVER allow myself to grow cool, formal, and half-hearted in the service of the God who loves me?

*Why do I ever allow my loyalties to be divided so that God has not all my heart?

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Let us examine ourselves.

The Love of God-part 1

I am currently reading Knowing God by J.I. Packer. For a variety of reasons, this book is taking much longer to finish than most. One reason, I am sure, is that a book on the character of God is, by nature, going to be long and intense. Many good books have been written in attempt to tell about God's nature, but none can ever completely explain Him. God is indescribable and incomprehensible! As each chapter of Knowing God carefully and biblically tells of the incredible nature of our God I am reminded of the hymn by Frederick M. Lehman.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

These words are so beautiful and so true. We could never write the totality of the character of God. So far, my favorite chapter in Knowing God is titled "The Love of God." I learned, and was reminded, of some awesome truths. Here are some points Packer made in that chapter:

1. God's love is an exercise of His goodness.

2. God's love to sinners was expressed by the gift of His son to be their Savior.

"The measure of love is how much it gives, and the measure of the love of God is the gift of His only Son to be made man, and to die for sins, and so to become the one mediator who can bring us to God."

3. God's love to sinners reaches its objective as it brings them to know and enjoy Him in a covenant relation.

~

If the love of God ended in these three points that would be enough to leave us speechless and in awe of His wonderous character. But that barely begins to explain how great He is. Looking into the nature of God must draw us to our knees in repentance and open our hearts to pour out praise and honor to His holy name.

Check back soon!

I haven't had much writing time recently, but I have some things in process. I will post them when I get back at the end of the week! Thanks for reading!