1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. I. THE NATURE AND ACTINGS OF OUR LOVE TO GOD. 1. Love to God supposes or springs from the knowledge of Him and faith in Him. 2. Love to God includes the highest esteem of Him. 3. Love to God includes earnest desires after His grace and favour, communion with Him, and the enjoyment of Him. 4. Love to God includes or produces complacency, joy, and delight in Him. 5. Love to God includes or springs from a thankful sense of His benefits. 6. Love to God may also include goodwill to, and zeal for, His honour and glory in the world. II. REASONS AND MOTIVES TO IT. 1. How unjust and how unhappy the disposition opposite to this love is. 2. Consider that love to God is the true honour and happiness of your souls. 3. To excite your love to God consider what a transcendently glorious, excellent, and amiable Being He is in Himself. 4. Consider that God, and He alone, can be a suitable and satisfying portion to your souls. 5. Consider the goodness and mercy, love and grace of God, and the blessed fruits of it, to you and others. (T. Fernie, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: We love him, because he first loved us. |
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