THE GOD-KIND OF LOVE

Romans 5:8(NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Paul the apostle wrote perhaps the most basic and exhaustive treatise on God's grace to the church in Rome approximately three decades after the events that brought about the message—Jesus’ death and resurrection. He explained not just that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and to the glory of God alone, but also that this gift of salvation is not available for the Jews only but for the whole world (Jews and Gentiles).

Now, despite the persecutions these Christians in Rome were facing at that time (in the horrific reign of Emperor Nero), Paul was admonishing them that the love of God, which made this grace available for all, helps us in the face of afflictions because of the hope we have of glorification with Jesus when he comes again. [For a better understanding of the book of Romans, listen to the audio message—On Romans 8 (2017).]

Romans 8:18(NKJV)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

This hope keeps us going because it is not predicated on a probability but on a certainty. And this glorious certainty finds its roots in the God-kind of love.

Romans 5:1–5(NKJV)

1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2. through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4. and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

So what is the God-kind of love?

Paul explained further.

6. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die…”

This means that you will hardly ever find someone willing to die for a person that is righteous, someone known to be innocent.

“...yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.”

This implies further that you will hardly ever find someone willing to die for someone that is loved, admired, and cherished for being a lovely and amazing person. However, you can still find a few that will be willing to do so.

For example, a man that decides to take the responsibility of the welfare of your family and the education of your children upon himself and has been doing so for years. If such should develop a health issue that requires donating a vital organ in your body, a process that could be detrimental to your health, because of how much you cherish him for all he has done, you might be tempted to consider volunteering to donate that organ. To you, he is a good man and you love him because he deserves it.

But Paul explained that God's love is the exact opposite of that.

Romans 5:8(NKJV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

While dying for someone good and great and amazing is really difficult but a few can still consider it, God goes out of the way to give up His only Son to die for people that were the exact opposite of good—sinners (ver. 8), ungodly and without strength (ver. 6), and God's enemies (ver. 10).

So God's love is unconditional—not determined by us; it is in spite of us. Unlike man's idiosyncrasy of reciprocation, God's love is to the undeserving.

9. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

10. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Because of God's unconditional love, we have been reconciled to God, who were once His enemies. This explains what Paul meant in verse 1, that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” meaning the enmity has been broken. Therefore, “we shall be saved by His life” (ver. 10). Saved from what? From the wrath to come when the world will be judged (ver. 9, ch. 2:4–8). This is that hope that keeps us going in the midst of trials and tribulations, that glorious certainty that finds its roots in the God-kind of love.

So, God was not looking for people who deserved His love, else Jesus wouldn't have died for us cuz nobody was deserving. This is the God-kind of love. And guess what? This love has been “shed abroad” in our hearts.

Romans 5:5(NKJV)

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

So, we can love today like God does. This is the reality of every child of God today and this is an admonition for us all. God doesn't expect us to channel love only towards those that we feel are deserving of it; He expects us to love everyone.

And this admonition by Paul the apostle is a reiteration of the words of our Lord himself.

Matthew 5:43–45(NKJV)

43. "You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

44. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

45. that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

This means that so that yours will be a “like Father like son” story, love like God who does good to both the evil and the good alike. This is one thing in conduct that makes us different from the world.

Luke 6:27–28,32–33(NKJV)

27. "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28. bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.

32. "But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

33. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Blessings.

Victor Ibosiola © 2022

Recommended blog post: Using Bible Tenses Bible Way