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In 1 John 4:8 we
read this statement, “For God is love.” God is the very essence of love.
Love permeates God. It is the main substance of His being. It flows from God
to others. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because God first loved us.” We can be
the receptacle of God’s love. Love is why God is longsuffering (2 Peter
3:9). Because God is love He has balance in His dealing with men. “Behold
the goodness and severity of God,” Paul records in Romans 11:22. In Hebrews
12: 6-11 we read that because God is love He chastens those He loves for
these purposes:
…that we may be
God’s sons (v. 8)
…that we will
learn subjection and live (v. 9)
…that we may
partake of God’s holiness (v. 10)
…that we may
yield the fruit of righteousness (v. 11).
Cain was the
only man recorded that was chastened by God before the flood (Genesis
4:9-12). As a result the rebellion of mankind was so great God repented that
He had made man (Genesis 6:5-7). God determined to destroy all but Noah, for
he was righteous (Genesis 6:8).
God allows
those He loves to go through the test of temptation, even his own Son
(Matthew 4:1-11). God himself does not tempt us (James 1:13). We are tempted
by our own lusts (James 1:14). When we endure temptation we receive the
crown of life (James 1:12). Temptation proves our faith and works our
patience so we will be strong Christians (James 1:2-4). Because God loves us
He makes a way for us to escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10: 13).
Zechariah
8:16,17 tells us of things that God hates. God hates things that destroy
men’s souls. If we love God we will hate the same evil that He hates (Psalms
97:10) and love as He loves!
Harvey
Childress, servant of Jesus Christ |
