Love of God refers to that essence and activity of God seeking benefit for others through the sacrifice of himself, giving himself.

• Is a part of his character 2Cor 13:11; 1John 4:8
• Christ, the especial object of John 15:9; John 17:26
• Christ abides in John 15:10
• Described as
– Sovereign Deut 7:8; Deut 10:15
– Great Eph 2:4
– Abiding Zeph 3:17
– Unfailing Isa 49:15; Isa 49:16
– Unalienable Rom 8:39
– Constraining Hos 11:4
– Everlasting Jer 31:3
• Irrespective of merit Deut 7:7; Job 7:17
• Manifested towards
– Perishing sinners John 3:16; Titus 3:4
– His saints John 16:27; John 17:23; 2Thess 2:16; 1John 4:16
– The destitute Deut 10:18
– The cheerful giver 2Cor 9:7
• Exhibited in
– The giving of Christ John 3:16
– The sending of Christ 1John 4:9
– Christ’s dying for us while sinners Rom 5:8; 1John 4:10
– Election Mal 1:2; Mal 1:3; Rom 9:11-13
– Adoption 1John 3:1
– Redemption Isa 43:3; Isa 43:4; Isa 63:9
– Freeness of salvation Titus 3:4-7
– Forgiving sin Isa 38:17
– Quickening of souls Eph 2:4; Eph 2:5
– Drawing us to himself Hos 11:4
– Temporal blessings Deut 7:13
– Chastisements Heb 12:6
– Defeating evil counsels Deut 23:5
• Shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit Rom 5:5
• Saints know and believe 1John 4:16
• Saints should abide in Jude 1:21
• Perfected in saints
– By obedience 1John 2:5
– By brotherly love 1John 4:12
• The source of our love to him 1John 4:19
• To be sought in prayer 2Cor 13:14

Love of God