0293. THE LOVE OF GOD.

THE LOVE OF GOD.

"The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us" (Rom. 5 5).

I. The Character of this Love.

1. It is God’s Love. It is the nature of love to seek out the helpless and the needy, and to pour into the lap of poverty all the wealth of its possession. Love cannot remain inactive.

2. It Manifests Itself. "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom_5:8). Love will not hide; it overleaps every barrier and shows itself. "Herein is love; not that we loved God" (1Jn_4:10).

II. The Sphere of its Operation. It is not enough to see the evidences of God’s love; His love is not satisfied with that. It is to be-

1. In Our Hearts. In the citadel of the soul, watering the roots of our affections and purifying the springs of the life.

2. "Shed Abroad." The love of God is to fill and flood our being, as the light of the sun is shed abroad on the earth, scattering darkness and turning barrenness into fruitfulness. If the love of God possesses us we shall take pleasure, like Him, in loving sinners and making sacrifice for their salvation. Love is the most practical thing on earth (see 1 Cor. 13).

III. The Divine Operator. This great work is done by-

1. The Holy Ghost. It is the Spirit’s work to unveil the love of God to us in Christ Jesus, and to create that love within us. He sheds it abroad in our hearts by taking the things of Christ and showing them unto us.

2. The Holy Ghost Given unto Us. If our hearts are to be filled with the love of God, the Holy Spirit must have His abode within the heart. The fruit of the Spirit is love. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts" (Gal_4:6). Beloved, if God so loved us, then, in the power and after the manner of that love we ought also to love one another (1Jn_4:11).

Autor: James Smith