Love Manifested

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  

I John 4:9 

How do we know God loves us? Our text answers that question directly and unequivocally. Before we peruse that answer, let us consider several other things that relate to the subject. The first is that God was under no obligation to create. Had He elected to do so, none of what we see in creation would be here and we would not be here. The second thought is that God was under no obligation to redeem. If He had elected to do so He could easily have destroyed the world with humanity in it. He could have remade the world without humanity. Therefore, it is quite remarkable that He elected to redeem fallen humanity. The most salient fact as we consider this text is that He went to such extravagant lengths to accomplish this redemption. Our text states He manifested His love toward us by sending His only begotten Son. His purpose in sending Him was, ‘that we might live through Him.’ Christ’s life of humiliation and excruciating, sacrificial death is the solid proof of God’s love for us. We who were condemned to die now live because God thus manifested His love toward us.  

Our Good and Loving God, 
we rejoice in Your redemption. 
We praise You that You have given 
us Your only Begotten Son.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning