God's Love ;An awesome Mystery... John 3 pt 12

http://billrandles.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/gods-love-is-an-awesome-mystery-john-3-pt-11/ ^ | March 3,2012 | Bill Randles

[pastorbillrandles]

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)

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us…(Ephesians 2:4)

John 3 is the record of an interview that Jesus gave to a leading Rabbi, a Senator(Sanhedrinist) and a Pharisee, Nicodemus.The Topic? The New Birth.

Jesus told Nicodemus that the New Birth was more than the acceptance of a new set of responsibilities such as marriage or ministry, as the Jews believed. The New Birth was an act of God,the Holy Spirit. It was and is the fulfillment of the promise given through Ezekiel, that God would grant Israel a “washing in water” and give them a new “tender heart of flesh” that they might keep His commands.

No human being could ever become good enough to attain this new birth, it is a gift of God, given to us by the descent of the “Son of Man which is in heaven”, but who has come to the earth.

The gift of the New Birth would come as a result of something akin to Moses’ “brass serpent”, lifted up in the wilderness. Even so must the “son of man be lifted up”, that those who believe in him might receive the gift of eternal life. The Son would bear the judgment that we deserved, on the tree, that we might live.

We discussed last time what is not meant by the phrase “For God so loved the world …”. We had to because decades of humanistic teachings, the influence of psychology and the increasing sentimentalization of christianity, have led to serious misconceptions about God’s love.

God did not love the world because of something which he saw that was ‘desirable’ in it. Nor is the cross the measure of our ‘worth’ as so many in this psychologized age assert. There was nothing in us at all that compelled God to love the world.

The word for Love in John 3:16 is Agape, and it means that God chose to Love us, He willed it, and set his love upon us, solely because of who He is, not who we are. God saw our plight, chose to will our good, and did what needed to be done, to save us.

There are many facets to this ,“Love so amazing, and so Divine”, in fact it would take eternity to even begin to plumb the depths of the love Jesus mentioned in John 3:16.

Let it suffice us for now to look at just a few of them. What was it in God that compelled him to offer up his Son for our salvation?

* Mercy- The God revealed by Jesus in John 3 is a God of mercy and truth. He doesn’t wish for anyone to perish, as the apostle Peter says, but that all might come to repentance, and receive the gift of God which is everlasting Life.

His very nature is forgiveness, as the Psalmist indicates,

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.(Psalm 103:8-11)

The mercy of God compels Him to want to relieve the sufferings even of those justly afflicted. He saw our sin, and with it all of its implications, all of he misery, shame, pain, confusion and death that the aggregation of human sin would bring about, and He did something to bring us relief and salvation.

*Holy Love- But the Love of God is Holy Love. He had to relieve our sufferings in a Holy and Righteous way, He could not just “sweep our sin under the carpet”, he had to make a way consistent with His own nature to relieve us.His answer? Substitution.

Because God is Holy, sin must be answered for, the demand that the sinner must die and that wrath be satisfied against all transgression, iniquity and sin. Jesus is the offering God made to himself , for us.

* Compassionate love- The Love of God compelled Him to save us by entering fully into our humanity. God himself would “feel what we feel”, fully experiencing everything of humanity,(except sin). God was in Jesus Christ, coming to us, tasting death in all of its forms; hatred and rejection,hunger, thirst, limitation, betrayal, unrequited love, humiliation and even shame. The prophet Isaiah said of Him,

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.(Isaiah 53:2-6)

Small wonder Charles Wesley taught us to marvel in song of adoration;

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

[John Leland 1789]

Is that an entertainment, emergent church translation from a Rick Warren type group?

[boatbums]

Would you like the better translation for those passages in that pathetic modernistic translation you are using?

There are numerous translations that use the word "awesome" including the New King James Version (1980) as well as the New International Version (1984) and the World English Bible. The Hebrew word is yare' and in the Strong's Concordance means:

1) to fear, revere, be afraid

a) (Qal)

1) to fear, be afraid

2) to stand in awe of, be awed

3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

b) (Niphal)

1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

Barnes' Notes on the Bible describes Psalm 47:2 and its use of the word as:

"Is terrible - literally, is to be feared; that is, reverenced and adored. There is an idea in the words "terrible" and "terror" which is not contained in the original, as if there were something harsh, severe, stern, in his character. The word in the original does not go beyond the notion of inspiring reverence or awe, and is the common word by which the worship of God is designated in the Scriptures. The meaning is, that he is worthy of profound reverence or adoration."

Now, I agree that the word "awesome" is so overused it has almost become a joke, "Dude, that wave was awesome!!!", but the way Almighty God is described as having attributes or his ways that are "awesome", does not in any way take away from the intent of the Holy Spirit's message. I resent the way so many words today have been confiscated and almost copyrighted so that people hestitate to use them. Words like "choice", "equality", "radical" and, yes, "awesome". But the word DOES fit when we use it to express the nature of our God because he IS to be feared, to stand in awe of, to reverence and respect.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary says about Psalm 47:2:

The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty. The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and joy, and animate each other in serving him, let sinners submit to his authority, and accept his salvation.

Lighten up, dude. :o)

[John Leland 1789]

"New King James Version (1980)

from corrupt sources.

[John Leland 1789]

For the trendy, uniformitarian reading of “awesome” in :

Gen. 28:17. The better translation is “dreadful.”
Ex. 15:11. The better translation is “fearful in praises.”
Ex. 34:10. The better translation is “terrible.”
Deut. 4:34. The better translation is “great terrors”
Deut. 7:21. The better translation is “mighty . . . terrible”
Deut. 28:58. The better translation is “fearful”

(To be continued)

[boatbums]

For the trendy, uniformitarian reading of “awesome” in : Gen. 28:17. The better translation is “dreadful.” Ex. 15:11. The better translation is “fearful in praises.” Ex. 34:10. The better translation is “terrible.” Deut. 4:34. The better translation is “great terrors” Deut. 7:21. The better translation is “mighty . . . terrible” Deut. 28:58. The better translation is “fearful” (To be continued)

Save yourself the trouble. I realize the difference between the ubiquitous use of the word "awesome" today and its REAL sense in the awe producing greatness and terribleness of Almighty God. If you don't like it, don't use it. I'll continue to use it because I AM in awe of our great and mighty God and I stand amazed in His presence and love Him more and more every day.

[John Leland 1789]

It’s not just about you now.

[ravenwolf]

Older theologians like Albert Pink in his book about ‘Soverienty” conclude that God infact can NOT love sinners who are predestined for hell- He can NOT love sin, and htose predestined for hell are sinners- He can noly love His own- those who are known by Him to receive Christ at some point in their lives. (which may be why God tells us to avoid convorting with the unsaved EXCEPT for the purpose of presentign htem with the gospel or to work alongside them- We certainly don’t know who will be saved and hwo won’t- but this isn’t liscence to wallow in the muck with the unsaved)

God does indeed have an attribute of love in Him, however, it’s my beleif His love is only for His own- Holiness and sin can NOT coexist in God’s holy Presence-

This is a real touchy subject, and many people don’t like learnign that God does not ifnact lvoe the workld- the verse John 3:16 uses a word for ‘world’ that is indiciative of “His own”, not of ‘the whole world’. In Gill’s Exposition of the whole bible- he shows where the word is meant of only those whom will be saved

Pink’s book is a heavy heavy read (it can be found online btw) and I’m not sure exactly how I beleive about it- but if it is infact how God views the elect and those predestiend for hell, then it’s a heavy truth that is quite hard to take (and actually drove me to a drinking binge that landed me in hospital)

God is love, yes indeed, but let’s not foget that God is also Holy and that justice MUST be meeted out to those who reject Him, and with heavy hearts and humble attitudes thank Him for our salvation in fear and trembling knowing that we could have been the unelect-

---

I can not say that i disagree, however i only read the Bible, the KJV and don,t pay much attention what some one may say unless i can see it in plain words, but it says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, But since you may be talking about foreknowledge, i agree.

How many believers were there before Jesus came? not many, so God must have loved the world despite the fact that the world was not made up of believers, also i think we need to let God decide what sin is and what is not sin, also Jesus drink and ate with what the religious leaders called sinners.

In fact if sinners can not be saved then i am lost, and most Churches that i recognize as a Christian church would say that i am lost because they have their own ideas of what sin is.

---

1 cor
6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

---

However many preachers will say anything that they do not happen to like is a sin against the Holy Ghost, the above scripture Denys that concept.

While at the same time many Churches are accepting any thing, even homosexualism which is an abomination.

So because of the man made laws in the Churches, some stricter than the laws Jesus made and others just plain followering after satan i am just not interested in going to Church any more.

And the Bible which makes the most sense to me and the one that does not contradict itself in the same ch is the KJV.

I am sure others look at it different but thats up to you.

[ravenwolf]

A great post.

[pastorbillrandles]

thanks RW

[boatbums]

It’s not just about you now.

I know. But our God is STILL an awesome God!

[John Leland 1789]

I know. But our God is STILL an awesome God!

Just like your mail man, shoe shine boy, the last Christmas tree you decorated, or your newest computer?

[boatbums]

Just like your mail man, shoe shine boy, the last Christmas tree you decorated, or your newest computer?

I've debated with myself for the last few days about whether or not your comment really wanted an answer or you were teasing me. Just in case you were serious, my answer is:

I am very particular about using the word "awesome" and it is not something I say casually about the mail man, shoeshine boy, last Christmas tree or newest computer. In fact, I pretty much reserve it for the one whom I also call Almighty God, Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior. Since you seem to insist the words "terrible"; "fearful" and "mighty" are preferable, may I ask if you ever use those words outside of reference to God? Is the weather ever "terrible"? Or your head cold? Or your last meal? Are you ever "fearful" for our country? Or of your next electric bill?

On the other hand, if you are just teasing, as I kinda suspect since we have usually agreed on other Religion Forum topics, tell me, do you truly dislike anyone using the word "awesome" about our Lord God when it IS a valid and Scriptural word use? I'd really like to know if your knickers are actually in a knot over this word. It won't stop me from using it, when relevant, of course, but I am curious about the reaction you had.

[John Leland 1789]

" . . . do you truly dislike anyone using the word "awesome" about our Lord God when it IS a valid and Scriptural word use?

In my late 50s, and having observed enough trendiness pass through the Body of Christ while the world goes on to hell, it does deeply grieve me when professing children of God think it's "awesome" to follow trends and fads. The current use of "Awesome!" is a trend, a fad. It will pass. But the current use of it (like the goatee fad) indicates men looking at men or the world for direction, instead of the Lord.

The modern bible versions that have replaced solid, distinctive vocabulary for a uniformitarian use of the word "awesome" are themselves trendy, faddish bible versions that will also pass, when the publishers, in search of the next buck ($$$) come up with the next version(s).

[boatbums]

The current use of "Awesome!" is a trend, a fad. It will pass. But the current use of it (like the goatee fad) indicates men looking at men or the world for direction, instead of the Lord.

I don't look to the world for direction, but let the Holy Spirit through the Bible speak to my heart. Rather than relinquish a perfectly good word that more than adequately describes the terrible, fearsome, praiseworthy holiness of Almighty God and his amazing (oops, you don't like that one either, right?) splendor and wonder, why not retake it from those who misuse it so callously? Even St. Augustine, as well as other early theologians used the word "awesome" in their praises of God - though I know what they wrote has been translated. I was reading something of Augustine's a few days ago and saw it although some dictionaries say the word's origins were from around the 1600's. From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/awesome we learn:

Word Origin and History

awesome

c.1600, "profoundly reverential," from awe + -some. Meaning "inspiring awe" is from 1670s; weakened colloquial sense of "impressive, very good" is recorded by 1961 and was in vogue from after c.1980.

So, of course it is overused and, as slang, it has lost some of its meaning, but I don't think we should give in and just let "them" copyright a good word. I don't think it deserves to be relinquished. But, if you feel that strongly about it, then you shouldn't use it. When the "fad" or "trend" passes, as you seem to think it will, then we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Hope you have a good weekend!

Psalm 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

[John Leland 1789]

Augustine?!