God's Initiative in Love

"We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

True love seeks not its own, but seeks that which is to the eternal benefit of the one loved.

Love rejects the sinful desires of our own selfish amibitions, plans, and wishes.

You will only love as God has loved when you are free of self-centered motives.

I.  God proves His love through His creative acts.  (Gen. 1, 2)

     You may seek in sin that which will satisfy your soul, but you will gain only a deeper and deeper sense of dissatisfaction.

II.  God proves His love through withholding righteous judgments.  (Selected Scriptures)

III.  God proves His love through the gift of Jesus Christ.  (1 John 4:9)

IV.  God proves His love through the continuation of His forgiveness toward His people.  (1 John 1:9)

V.  God proves His love through providing all that believers need.  (Matt. 6:33)

VI.  God proves His love through the promise of future blessing.  (1 John 4:17-18)