0842. The Proof of Christ's Love

The Proof of Christ's Love

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us" (1Jn_3:16).

There are many ways in which Christ gives proof of His love. "All things were made by Him and for Him." These things are all given unto us.

Some one wrote:

"I feel as weak as a violet,

Alone 'neath the deep blue sky

As lone, but as trustful also,

For the whole year long, I see

All the wonders of faithful nature,

At work for the likes of me."

But Christ's love, expressed in nature's benefits, is not His chief proof of love. The Cross of Christ is the real proof of Christ's love. "Hereby perceive we the love of God because He laid down His life for us." Again, "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom_5:8).

No man has a greater love than this: that a man would lay down his life for his friends; but, Christ died while we were yet enemies.

"Yet a great way off He saw me,

Ban to kiss me as I came;

As I was, my Father loved me,

Loved me in my sin and shame."

"To His blessed inner chamber,

Ground no other foot can tread,

He has brought the lost and found one,

Him who liveth, and was dead."

The great proof of Christ's love is twofold.

1. He died. He shed His Blood as a ransom. The hireling will leave the sheep and flee because he is an hireling and careth not for the sheep. Christ is the True Shepherd; He is the Good Shepherd. Twice in John 10, does Christ speak of "giving His life for the sheep;" twice He speaks of "laying down His life."

God loved the world, and proved His love by giving His Son.

Christ loved the Church and proved it by giving Himself for it.

Christ loved us, individually, and proved it by laying down His life.

2. He died for sinners. A blessed verse which clearly sets forth this fact is Rom_5:6-10 : This is quite a long passage, but we quote it in full:

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." In this quotation we have these statements:

1. "Christ died for the ungodly."

2. "While we were yet sinners."

3. "When we were enemies."

On Calvary's Cross, Christ showed His love for sinners when He cried: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luk_23:34). He prayed for the very ones who wagged their heads and derided Him; for the very ones who nailed Him there. Not only did He pray for them, He died for them.

It was the prodigal son, in all his sin and shame, for whom the father yearned; it was he, upon whom he planted the kiss of his love; it was he to whom he gave the ring, the robe and the shoes; it was he for whom he killed the fatted calf; it was for his return that they made merry. To be sure the prodigal son came home with tears and confession, but nevertheless he came home robbed of everything that made him, in the sight of men, worth the while.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR