Topical Bible: The Love of God: Exhibited in Redemption

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The concept of God's love is central to Christian theology, and its most profound expression is found in the doctrine of redemption. Redemption, as understood in the Christian faith, is the act by which God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, delivers humanity from sin and its consequences. This divine act is the ultimate demonstration of God's love, as it provides a means for reconciliation between God and humankind.

Biblical Foundation

The love of God in redemption is rooted in the Scriptures, where it is portrayed as both sacrificial and unconditional. One of the most cited verses that encapsulate this truth is John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" . This verse highlights the magnitude of God's love, emphasizing that it is not limited to a select few but extends to the entire world.

In Romans 5:8, the Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme: "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" . Here, the love of God is shown to be proactive and unmerited, as it reaches out to humanity even in its fallen state.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The theme of redemption is not confined to the New Testament but is foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. The deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt is a significant typology of redemption. In Exodus 6:6, God declares, "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment" . This act of deliverance is a precursor to the ultimate redemption through Christ, illustrating God's enduring love and faithfulness to His covenant people.

The Sacrificial Love of Christ

Central to the doctrine of redemption is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 1:7, Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace" . The shedding of Christ's blood is the means by which redemption is accomplished, underscoring the depth of God's love in offering His Son as a sacrifice for sin.

The love of God is further exemplified in the willingness of Christ to lay down His life. In John 15:13, Jesus states, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" . This selfless act is the pinnacle of divine love, demonstrating the lengths to which God will go to restore a broken relationship with humanity.

The Transformative Power of Redemption

The love of God in redemption is not only about deliverance from sin but also about transformation and renewal. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" . This transformative aspect of redemption is a testament to God's love, as it offers believers a new identity and purpose in Christ.

Moreover, the love of God in redemption assures believers of their eternal security. In Romans 8:38-39, Paul provides a powerful affirmation: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" . This assurance is a source of comfort and hope, rooted in the unchanging nature of God's love.

Conclusion

The love of God, as exhibited in redemption, is a central tenet of the Christian faith. It is a love that is sacrificial, unconditional, and transformative, offering humanity a path to reconciliation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. This divine love is a testament to God's character and His desire for a restored relationship with His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 43:3,4
For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior: I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 63:9
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bore them, and carried them all the days of old.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The New Covenant: a Covenant of Grace
... the New Covenant, flowing from Christ's redemption and the ... was exceeding abundant,
with faith and love." "The grace ... us of "the grace of God" exhibited in the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xiv the new covenant .htm

The Power of Christianity.
... It sets forth the highest standard of love to God ... who was made unto us wisdom from
God, and righteousness ... Caligula, Nero, and Domitian, and exhibited a picture ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 44 the power of.htm

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... The work of grace exhibited in the eternal counsel can ... Hence in the constraining
desire of divine love for the ... Our knowledge of God is not complete except we ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... nothing of those infinite rewards which God has prepared for those who sincerely
love and serve ... thing is certain, if injustice is exhibited here, it ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

1 John iii. 10
... This is exhibited in the difference of their bearing ... of its contrariety to the darkness
which they love and do ... seen that in the children of God, although their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 10.htm

The Relation Between Sin and Physical Evil. --Jewish Idea of ...
... nor his parents; but that the works of God should be ... in strong contrast with it,
that Almighty love which shows ... which, view them as we may, exhibited a moral ...
/.../section 100 the relation between.htm

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... Say to poor sinners, Behold thy God! ... by afflictions, is melted by the dying love
of a ... that discovery of the divine perfections, which is exhibited in redemption ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
... The globe itself, for example, cannot be exhibited on a ... In particular its aspect
towards God and its aspect ... picture shows the sovereign self-moving love of God ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/the lost sheep the lost.htm

Footnotes:
... And "how dwelleth the love of God in him" who can ... of a child, our Saviour would have
exhibited this virtue ... nature, and extent, of the promises of God, which we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/groves/christian devotedness/footnotes .htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... (5.) Such a being must love the same disposition in his creatures, and hate the
opposite. Practical Reflections. ... (3.) The wisdom of God, as exhibited in his ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm