Topical Bible: Love to God: They Who Have: Partake of his Mercy

◄ Love to God: They Who Have: Partake of his Mercy ►

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In the Christian faith, love for God is a fundamental tenet that is deeply intertwined with the experience of His mercy. Those who genuinely love God are recipients of His abundant mercy, a theme that is consistently highlighted throughout the Scriptures.

Scriptural Foundation

The Bible emphasizes that love for God is not merely an emotional response but a commitment that manifests in obedience and reverence. In Deuteronomy 7:9 , it is written, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments." This passage underscores the covenantal relationship between God and those who love Him, promising His steadfast mercy to them.

Mercy as a Divine Attribute

God's mercy is a central attribute of His character, and it is generously extended to those who love Him. Psalm 103:11 states, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him." Here, the psalmist poetically illustrates the vastness of God's mercy towards those who hold Him in reverent love and awe.

The Reciprocal Nature of Love and Mercy

The relationship between love for God and the reception of His mercy is reciprocal. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms this connection in John 14:21 : "Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him." This verse highlights that love for God, demonstrated through obedience, results in a deeper experience of His love and mercy.

Examples from Scripture

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who loved God and consequently partook of His mercy. King David, despite his failings, is described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His psalms frequently express a profound love for God and a reliance on His mercy, as seen in Psalm 51:1 : "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions."

Similarly, the prophet Daniel exemplified love for God through his unwavering faithfulness, even in exile. Daniel 9:4 records his prayer: "I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments.'" Daniel's life and prayers reflect a deep love for God and an assurance of His merciful nature.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the love of God and the experience of His mercy are inseparable. God's mercy is not earned but is a gracious gift bestowed upon those who love Him. This love is transformative, leading believers to live lives that reflect His character and commandments. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:28 , assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This promise of divine mercy and providence is a source of comfort and strength for those who love God.

Practical Application

For believers, cultivating love for God involves a daily commitment to His Word, prayer, and obedience. It is through these practices that one experiences the fullness of His mercy. As James 2:13 reminds us, "For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." This verse encourages believers to reflect God's mercy in their interactions with others, as an expression of their love for Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 20:6
And showing mercy to thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thou Spreadest Before Me a Table in the Presence of Mine Enemies.
... They have learned, by exclusion and retirement from worldly festivities and pernicious
delights, to draw near to God, out of love for His beauty and ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/ix thou spreadest before me.htm

Thy Rod and Thy Staff they Comfort Me.
... emblem of victory; this, too, is why they have felt disturbed ... in his pains, the saints
of God have ever accepted ... crosses as a sign of special love, a divine ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/viii thy rod and thy.htm

The Mind Loves God in Rightly Loving Itself; and if it Love not ...
... evils of weakness and delusion, great as they are, it ... Now it could not love itself
if it were altogether ... understand itself by which image of God within itself ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 14 the mind loves god.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... into that rest which God hath prepared for those that love him. Which God of his
infinite mercy grant ... but lay them up in your hearts, and remember they must be ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

The Consolation
... unclouded, uninterrupted enjoyment of the favour and love of God ... the face, have no
acquaintance with God, no access ... But they who know MESSIAH, who believe in Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

"This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare ...
... the circle yet narrower, and contracts the love that is ... and man may have fellowship
together, that they come nearer ... Now for God, you know he cannot be liker us ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ix this then is.htm

The Broken and Contrite Heart
... his works; and he wills, in his boundless love, to bring ... God grant that when trouble
comes after trouble, we may ... He grinds hearts to powder, that they may be ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xvii the broken and.htm

The Crisis in Galilee
... that His compassion was unappreciated, His love unrequited, His ... art that Christ,
the Son of the living God.". ... found more peace and joy since they had accepted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 41 the crisis in.htm

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his ...
... I beseech you who love not holiness in your ... of affliction and poverty, then they
forgat God, they oppressed the ... bread, and could not abide to have their faults ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv they have corrupted.htm

Robert Hall -- Marks of Love to God
... tenderness and reverential fear, be assured you can not love God; you have no
experience of those Scripture declarations: "They shall fear the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/robert hall marks of.htm