LOVE TAKES THE INITIATIVE

Love that the Bible talks about is, worlds apart from the love, that the world talks about. The written Word of God declares that, “God is love!” It simple words, the definition of what love is, can be derived from observing, how God deals with everything and everyone in this world. Let us look at John 3:16, the most famous verse from the Bible, and see, what we can learn about God and love.
– ’16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

The first six words – “For God so loved the world” – speaks volumes about God and His character. Here under is a small list of what I could gather.
– Love cares for those being loved.
– Love takes the initiative towards rescue, redemption and restoration.
– Love is for everyone – the “whole world” – and not just for a few “selected” “Chosen People” who wish to claim exclusive rights to God and His love.
– Love does not discriminate anyone, irrespective of who they are, and what they have done.
– Love is never prejudiced nor biased, pre-determining their position, and their prospects. Then it would not be love, but pre-determinism.
For our meditation this morning, let us look at one aspect of love, from the above list – LOVE TAKES THE INITIATIVE.

GOD’S LOVE for the world, ‘COMPELLS’ HIM TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE. This is what I can gather from “For God so loved the world.” There is no request or prayer, from the world, for any help from God. God, unilaterally, takes a decision, to step in, because of His love, with a determined purpose, to find a solution to all the problems of man. This is made clear, and plainly understood, when we read the rest of the verse. The explanation of the same can be found in 1 John 4:9-10.
– “9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10

Taking initiative in itself is a big thing, without ever being asked for. What should surprise and shock us, even more, about God’s love driven initiative is, “For whom did he choose to take such an initiative?” What kind of a world, and what kind of people? Let us read Romans 5:6-8,10, to gain a proper and deeper understanding of God’s loving initiative.
– “6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” – Romans 5:6-8,10

The words that are used to describe the world – that is you, me and everyone else are – WEAK, UNGODLY, SINNERS, ENEMIES. Is God’s loving initiative taken for such kind of a people? The above words describe to us, our true status, with no scope, whatsoever, to come out of the problem, and the impending eternal consequences of it.

Let us never forget, and always remember this, great, kind, generous, loving, merciful and magnanimous initiative of God our Creator, to love us with an everlasting love, so that, He could rescue us, by offering Himself in our place. No amount of praise would suffice, to thank God for this loving initiative. Even if we spend the rest of our lives, thanking, praising and worshipping God for this love, we would still fall far far short, by a long distance.

Therefore, let us seek the LORD for help, that we would forever be, grateful and thankful to Him, for His loving initiative, to help and rescue us. Even so the LORD help us.