#46 On the nature of God: The Constant Love of God

God’s characteristic love for man was evident at creation because He created a beautiful garden as a habitat for Adam, Genesis 2:8-9:

“And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

He also created a companion so Adam would not be alone, Genesis 2:18, 21-22:

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him…

…the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.”

The love of God was further shown when he provided a future for Adam and Eve instead of destroying them for their sin in the garden. But God’s just penalty for sin required death. So, they were removed from the beautiful garden and required to live with severe physical punishments and finally die.

But even when Adam and Eve sinned, God’s love was made manifest when He forecast to the serpent a future sacrifice to atone for their sins so that they could receive forgiveness, Genesis 3:15:

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

This prophecy was about Jesus’ death on the cross—a bruising of the heel of Deity—and the resurrection of Jesus—a mortal blow to satan’s head.

It may be surprising to some, but a loving God had a plan for saving mankind before He created them. The Apostle Paul says the saved were called before the foundation of the world, Ephesians 1:4-5:

“…even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,”

The love of God was evident even in Genesis 6 and 7 when He sent the flood to destroy everyone except righteous Noah. This flood proves two things about the nature of God: 1. Although God loves mankind, He can and will destroy the wicked.  2. His plan to save mankind by offering them a way to eternal bliss in heaven cannot be thwarted. He saved Noah so that His plan could be carried out.

The next step for the plan of God was to choose the family of Abraham for further development. Stephen described the initial commandment by God, Acts 7:2-3:

“The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’”

Afterward, the family of Abraham became enslaved in Egypt. But with a mighty hand, God liberated them and gave them the land of Canaan as an inheritance. God told Moses to explain this amazing gift to the people of Israel, Exodus 19:3-6:

““Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

But the Children of Israel were not faithful and began to worship idols. Because of their worshipping idols, most of the nation was lost to captivity in Assyria and Babylon. However, God saved a remnant to reform the nation of Judah and continue His plan to offer salvation to mankind.

This plan culminated in the sending of His Son to die on the cross as a payment for the sins of men. After Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, Peter explained the first step necessary to be added to the saved group, the church, Acts 2:38-40:

“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

Baptism adds one to the church, Acts 2:41; 47:

“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls…

…And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

One needs to live faithfully despite the trials and temptations of life, Revelation 2:10 and James 1:12:

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

This characteristic of the love of God and what He has provided is a wonderful aspect of Christianity.

#GodLovedAdamEve #AdamEveSinned #forecastRedemptin #forecastResurrection #forecastDeathCross #repentBeBaptized #LiveFaithful #Acts2:38 #baptismAddsChurch #Acts2:41;47 #revelation2:10 #James1:12