| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ( G ) GODS’ ACT OF LOVE – FREELY GIVING [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9 When a Christian has need of anything, that Christians’ dependency for getting that need met should not be based on what they can or must first give. The scriptures sufficiently demonstrate that God already has our care, need, and interests at heart ( Matt. 6:25-33 / 1 Peter 5:6-7 ). His love, desire and ability alone is what you and I should rest and rely on for getting our needs met. That love is a nature that has to and wants to give. Giving and loving is what God is all about. It is what He desires to do. In order for God to give He obviously needs a recipient to receive from Him. However, since God is all sufficient in Himself, that love, that giving is not dependent on a return or a response to the act. God so loved the world that He gave. Not that He needed anyone but that we all, the world, needed Him. God gave, not for any benefit to Himself but for our benefit. So that man should not perish eternally. God knows of course that many people will not receive His freely given gift in Christ. Nevertheless He still gives His Son anyway. God gives Himself to sinful mankind regardless of whether sinful mankind in turn responds to Him in kind or not. Gods’ decision and act of giving is not dependent on our act or decision to give. God further demonstrates this love by virtue of the truth that He determined this course of action and pre-ordained it before the earths’ foundation, before any man was created; [18] Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, [21] Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. - 1 Peter 1:18-21 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. - Rev. 13:8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |