THE LOVE GOD BESTOWED

1 JOHN 3:1-10

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

Love is often used as an intangible term, one that escapes concise definition. While it is true that love is better exercised than explained, better demonstrated than defined, better shown than spoken of- it is easily explained to one willing to listen. The statement in verse 1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us” is just that- a statement. It is not a question here, it’s not in question here- here it is an explanation. “What manner of love?” can be asked as a question but here we find the answer, not the question, the clear answer from the Word of God.

 

I. THIS LOVE IS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP [v. 1]

1. The Relationship Began With Love [3:1, 4:9-10, Rm. 5:8]

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

2. The Relationship is Bestowed by God [3:1, 4:19, 5:11]

3. The Relationship is Birth by Reception [3:1, Jn. 1:12]

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

 

 

II. THIS LOVE IS A PRESENT REALITY [v. 2]

This is not “pie in the sky by and by” this is a present reality in the nasty now and now! Someone says, “I don’t think you can know.” No, they just don’t think. Someone else says, “Well you can’t know for sure until you die.” On the contrary- you can know, and you can know that you know.

1. This Reality Begins with a Transformation [3:14, 2 Cor. 5:17]

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2. This Reality was Bought with a Substitution [3:5, 3:16, 4:9-10, 2 Cor. 5:21]

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

3.  This Reality Brings Another Transformation [3:2]

Think of the Lord’s Resurrection body that He has right now

–not locked in or out by walls

-not limited to earthly laws like gravity                               

-not lost to earth’s pleasures [friendships, eating, joy in service]

 

III. THIS LOVE INCLUDES A PRESENT RESPONSIBILITY [v. 3-10]

1. To Put into Practice what We are by Position [3:3] be pure because we are saved-not to be saved

2. To Abide in Him Not Abide in Sin [3:4-6, 1:5-7]

3. To Feed the New Nature Not the Old Nature [3:7-10] to be Christlike not devilish