>>> Continued from previous message
The new birth, by which we have been born into the family and kingdom of
God, is the result of God's love toward us from eternity. Every elect,
redeemed sinner is regenerated in the time of love (Ezek. 16:6-8), called
to faith in Christ because of God's everlasting love (Jer. 31:3), and
caused to receive the adoption of grace as the result of that love (Gal.
4:6; 1 John 3:1).
Our preservation in grace is also the work of God's love (John 13:1). "Many
waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drawn it" (Song of Sol.
8:7). God's love toward his elect is invincible and unquenchable. There is
no possibility that it will expire. The black waters of our sin cannot
extinguish it. The floods of our unbelief cannot drawn it. With men,
nothing is stronger than death. But with God nothing is stronger than love.
You can measure the strength of God's love when you can comprehend the
obstacles his love has overcome. Our fall in Adam could not destroy it.
God's justice could not nullify it. Our sin, death, corruption, and
eternity could not withstand it. Our temptations cannot destroy it. Not
even our many falls can cause our God to withdraw his love.
Third, the Word of God assures us of ONE SURE CONSEQUENCE OF GOD'S LOVE
(Eph. 1:4-5). All who are loved of God now, were loved of God from
eternity, and shall be loved of God forever. And the love of God shall
bring us home to heaven at last in the perfection of everlasting glory. In
the end, when all things are finished, when the sons of God are in the
Father's heavenly kingdom and all the wicked are cast into hell, what will
be the difference between the saints in heaven and the wicked in hell? Not
our goodness! Not out free-will! Not our baptism! Not our faithfulness! Not
our creed! Not our church! But "the love of God which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord!" Because he loved us God determined to save us, chose us to be
his own, predestined us to be his sons, redeemed us by the precious blood
of Christ, called us by his Spirit, keeps us by his grace, and shall bring
us to glory. What is our response to the love of God? "We love him because
he first loved us!" (I John 4:19). Let your heart filled and overwhelmed
with this thought. Nothing "shall be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." God's love for us is our incentive
in all things: Devotion to Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20), Giving (2 Cor. 8:9), Our
Confidence of Faith in Him (Rom. 8:32), and Brotherly Kindness (Eph.
4:32-5:1). "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another"
(1 John 4:11).
---
 * SLMR 2.1a * It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth
--- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 
---------------