February 12, 2023
Amazing Love
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NASB)
When each of us marry, we understand very little about what the word love means. How could we? We understand it more as a physical and emotional infatuation than biblical love. We can’t wait to be with our loved one each day. Over time like anything else, it can become common. It can wax cold. It can become indifferent. It can become underappreciated, or expectations can be unfair. Problems begin. This shows we truly don’t understand the full concept of love. So, what it is then? Let’s take a look and determine what Jesus meant when He said, “God so loved the world.” He surely knew it.
“For God so loved the world,” is a popular phrase today, but also highly misunderstood today. The world doesn’t understand it’s true context. Even in today’s society it can even mean toleration. Toleration to the point of accepting sin. They defend it with statements like, “Well it was all done in the name of love.” When Jesus shared with Nicodemus, He showed him something about the word “love” he probably didn’t understand. God wants you to know this too. This is why He recorded it for you and me. First, love is not something that comes natural for mankind. It is easily reciprocated when extended by others. It is nearly impossible though, in our own strength, to give it when ours is rejected. This why there is a great need to understand it. We need to see it from God’s eyes. He understands what it is and what it is not. Calvin says, “Christ opens up the first cause, and, as it were, the source of our salvation, and he does so, that no doubt may remain; for our minds cannot find calm repose, until we arrive at the unmerited love of God.”[1] We have to arrive to God’s perspective. God is the author of love.
The word love here is the Greek word agapaō. This word is the highest form of love that God extends to the human race, Jesus, and God. It is used in John 14:23; 17:23; 1 John 3:1; 4:10, 2 Thess. 2:16; Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:4 to name a few.[2] This form of love can only be understood by those who understand God Himself through His saving grace. God uses it as an intentional act of God’s will. Think about this, God intentionally sent His Son, loving the human race and wishes that “we shall not perish.” When mankind sees the love of the God, it is natural for him to try to extend his best form of love. Even when he does it still falls short of the standard. That standard is perfection. So, in our own efforts, it still falls short…
This love was sent to us to give His life. This transcends our understanding of love that God gives. It is sacrificial. It also looks for the highest good of others. It doesn’t have a presupposition that the love will be reciprocated. Once it is received by grace through faith and enters into salvation, it still takes time to understand that ongoing love. This love takes the rest of our lives to understand and to apply it to our lives. Today, please take a moment to think about how much intentional love your Heavenly Father put into loving you. He willed it for mankind, He sent His Son to show it, He sacrificed His Son for it, and He continues to share it with us after salvation. This can keep you busy for the rest of your life by thanking and living His love!
[1] John Calvin and William Pringle, Commentary on the Gospel according to John, vol. 1 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 122–123.
[2] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jn 3:16.