Emulate the Love of God
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
God’s Love is:
I. Tough Love
Heb. 12: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
A. The Lord disciplines his children because he loves them and wants the best for them. He is looking out for their good.
B. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
C. We should thank God for his discipline because he is omniscient.
D. We can emulate God’s love by displaying tough love also. We should discipline our children with firmness, love and work courageously for the good of others.
Dr. James Dobson wrote a best seller on this subject and sold over 1 million copies.
Sometimes love must be tough!
II. Tender Love
Psalms 69: 16 Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
A. God’s love is not only tough but it is also tender. He cares, understands, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
B. God’s love, mercy, and grace are extended to all people in all places, at all times.
C. Emulate God’s tender love. Heed His words: “be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph.4:32)
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II. Trustworthy Love
Jer. 31: 3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
A. Today’s society is sadly lacking when it comes to trustworthy love. Divorce continually rises.
B. God’s love is trustworthy. He keeps his promises. “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:7
C. We should be steadfast and dependable also, loving “in deed and in truth” (1John 3:18)
IV. Triumphant Love
1 Cor. 13:8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
A. People, possessions, pleasures, and popularity fail, but God’s triumphant love never fails.
B. Before we can emulate God’s triumphant love
, we need to possess his love. We must totally commit ourselves to God to be filled with his love.
C. God’s love is triumphant because “God is love” (1John 4:8,16) His love brings victory now and eternally. 1 Cor. 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity
