“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
“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.”
{GC 678.3}
Jesus declared to His disciples that not a sparrow falls to the ground without the notice of the heavenly Father, and that if God can keep in mind the wants of all the little birds of the air, He will much more care for those who may become the subjects of His kingdom and through faith in Him may be the heirs of immortality. Oh, if the human mind were only to comprehend—in such measure as the plan of redemption can be comprehended by finite minds—the work of Jesus in taking upon Himself human nature, and what is to be accomplished for us by this marvelous condescension, the hearts of men would be melted with gratitude for God’s great love, and in humility they would adore the divine wisdom that devised the mystery of grace!
{5T 749.1}
How to experience & obtain the wondrous love of Christ in your life
The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. {SC 41.2}
The Spirit is given as a regenerating agency, to make effectual the salvation wrought by the death of our Redeemer. The Spirit is constantly seeking to draw the attention of men to the great offering that was made on the cross of Calvary, to unfold to the world the love of God, and to open to the convicted soul the precious things of the Scriptures. {AA 52.4}
“The warfare between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness was carried on under far more discouraging circumstances than was the battle between Adam and Satan. Christ’s life was a continual battle until he was offered up on Calvary’s cross. But in spite of Satan’s temptation, in spite of the trials and humiliations that came upon the Son of God, he carried out the divine mission of which the prophet Isaiah had written ages before. In the synagogue at Nazareth he read the words of the prophet, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound [in unbelief and hopeless despair by the power of Satan]; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”
This is the work that Christ, the merchantman, who comes to rescue his goodly pearls, is to do. He finds his pearl buried in rubbish. Selfishness incrusts the human heart, and it is bound by the
tyranny of Satan. But he lifts the soul out of its darkness, to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We are brought into covenant relationship with God, and receive pardon and find peace. Jesus finds the pearl of lost humanity, and resets it in his own diadem. The same thought is brought out in the parable where the faithful shepherd leaves the ninety and nine, and goes forth to find the one lost sheep. Christ comes to save perishing souls. He did not come to labor exclusively for one favored nation, but to pour out his blessings upon a lost world. He came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every apartment of his temple. No true worshiper need meet any obstruction in approaching the God of the temple. He said, “I am the light of the world.” He would inspire the most sinful, the most debased with hope. He says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” When a soul finds the Saviour, the Saviour rejoices as a merchantman that has found his goodly pearl. By his grace he will work upon the soul until it will be like a jewel polished for the heavenly kingdom. “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.” {YI October 10, 1895, par.4- 5}
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Stuart Townend Copyright © 1995 Thankyou Music (Adm. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com excl. UK & Europe, adm. by Integrity Music, part of the David C Cook family, songs@integritymusic.com)
How to be Like Jesus- to Have His Character
The following is an ongoing study and will be updated from time to time when more information is found regarding the character of Christ. May we all strive to follow our Perfect Examplar: