093. Love, Man's, for God
093. Love, Man’s, for God
93 MAN’S LOVE FOR GOD
INTRODUCTION The normal condition of human heart is to love God. Sin has brought about an abnormal state . God loves man; it is one of the tragedies of life for all the love to be on one, side; husband and wife; mother and child; God and man.
I. THREE SIDES OF SALVATION 1. Wholly divine-God’s love.
(a) Cannot build a theory on God’s part alone.
2. Part divine and part human-Christ’s side.
(a) Can not build a theory on these two.
3. Wholly human-man’s part.
(a) Can not build a theory on this only.
(b) Man cannot be saved "by grace alone" nor "by faith alone."
(God"s part expresses his love to man; so man’s part expresses his love to God . God’s love for man has done something; he has taken the initiative; now man must act; his actions in harmony with God’s will express man’s love for God.) II. WHAT IS LOVE FOR GOD?
1. Not measured by human relationship.
(a) Human terms both parties on equality. (b) Cannot be applied to God and man. (c) Divinity and humanity on different planes.
2. Keep God’s commandments. (1 John 5:3.) (a) This brings man into divine relationship. (b) Nothing so elevates man as to do God’s will.
3. Jesus gave it as a test. (John 14:21; John 14:23.) (a) Man gets the full benefits of God ’s love only by doing God ’s will. (b) By doing God’s commands we become his fri ends. (2 John 1:6; John 15:14.) (c) Cannot tell by our feelings that we love God or that God loves us.
(If one does not love God enough to do his will, he does not love him enough to be saved.) III. MUST DO ALL THE COMMANDMENTS 1. There are no non-essential commands.
(a) Each is a test of. our love for God. (b) Why call Christ Lord and do not his commands. (Luke 6:46.) (c) Cannot choose his commands.
2. Comp lete submission to God required.
(a) Humility on man’s part brings the mercy and blessings of God. (Isaiah 66:1-2.) (b) Obedience to all his commands is the badge of love to God .
3. "Keep yourselves in the love of God." (Jude 1:21.) IV. SOME OF HIS COMMANDS.
1. To sinner; hear, believe , repent, baptism.
2. To saint: live soberly, righteously , godly.