February 23, 2019 -- I John 3:1; 5:3 -- Grasping God's Love

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

I John 3:1 ESV

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

I John 5:3 ESV

By cognition we grasp the love of God

by faith the love of God grasps us and melts us.

Tim Keller

Keller’s words offer great insight to our texts today. We can intellectually know the love of God. We can recite “For God so loved the world” and other passages. In fact in James we can read that even the demons know about the love of God and shudder. Intellect, cognition, does not necessarily stir the heart.

It is the heat of faith, warmed by the fire of the Spirit of Holiness, fueled by the truth of Scripture that moves us, melts us and ignites in us such a response towards God’s love that it is a joy and it is our heart’s desire to serve Him with our mouths, our hearts, our thoughts and hands.

Get to church. Worship the LORD. Join in with the people of God who experience the heat of faith, warmed by the fire of the Spirit of Holiness, fueled by Gospel preaching. In view of His great love your heart will be moved, the icy cold you had towards the things of God will thaw and melt.

Those of you who are Christians already: pray for your preacher. That he will speak the Truth of God will passion—as one who himself has already been warmed by it and melted and shaped by it.

Christians, as you prepare to go to church, be ready to encourage others. Weep with those who weep. Know their joys and their needs well enough to do this. You are proof of the Bible’s transforming message which is centred on and anchored in Jesus Christ. Go to church with the intention of blessing others and being blessed—all because of the great love that the Father has lavished on us.

Father of steadfast, lavish love—thank You for the people who attend church. Thank You for the family You are gathering by Your Spirit. This family made up of people who are washed by the blood of Christ and called to be saints. Give us love that responds to the fiery warmth of Your love. From this great molten flow of Your love poured out and being poured out on us, let us be a people who bless others and love them with the fervor that only Christ can give. In Jesus’ Name and for His glory we pray. Amen.