Topical Bible: The Love of God: Manifested Towards: Perishing Sinners

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The love of God towards perishing sinners is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting the divine compassion and mercy extended to humanity despite its fallen state. This love is not merely an abstract concept but is demonstrated through concrete actions and promises as revealed in Scripture.

Divine Initiative and Grace

God's love for sinners is initiated by His own will and grace, independent of human merit. Romans 5:8 states, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This verse underscores the proactive nature of God's love, reaching out to humanity even when it is entrenched in sin.

The Sacrificial Love of Christ

The ultimate manifestation of God's love for perishing sinners is found in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 declares, "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 passage highlights the depth of God's love, offering His Son as a means of salvation for all who believe.

Universal Offer of Salvation

God's love is inclusive, extending the offer of salvation to all people. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 affirms, "This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." The desire for all to be saved reflects God's loving nature and His wish for none to perish.

Patience and Longsuffering

God's love is also characterized by patience and longsuffering towards sinners. 2 Peter 3:9 explains, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." This patience is an expression of His love, allowing time for repentance and transformation.

The Call to Repentance

While God's love is freely given, it calls for a response from sinners. Acts 17:30 states, "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent." The call to repentance is an invitation to experience the fullness of God's love and to turn away from the path of destruction.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in manifesting God's love to sinners, convicting them of sin and drawing them towards repentance. John 16:8 notes, "And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." The Spirit's work is an extension of God's love, guiding sinners towards redemption.

Adoption as Children of God

Through faith in Christ, perishing sinners are not only saved but are also adopted into God's family. Ephesians 1:5 reveals, "He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will." This adoption is a profound expression of God's love, granting sinners the status of beloved children.

Eternal Security and Assurance

God's love provides eternal security and assurance for those who accept His offer of salvation. Romans 8:38-39 assures believers, "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 inseparable bond is a testament to the enduring nature of God's love for those who were once perishing sinners.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 3:4
But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Love Commended to Us.
... a thorough consideration of God's love, as manifested in Christ ... In this way God commends
His love towards us in ... 5. This matter of commending God's love is the ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xviii gods love commended to.htm

Corn in Egypt
... soul gets the love and mercy of God manifested to it ... an assurance of the everlasting,
immutable love of God ... orators that move the heart of God towards you, but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/corn in egypt.htm

The National Preacher.
... is visible"the hearts of sinners will be manifested. ... question.""Because they received
not the love of the truth, that they might be saved; God shall send ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/the national preacher.htm

Sermon for Christmas Day
... hath God wrought a great wonder, and manifested the greatness ... thoroughly from his
sins, to behave towards his fellow ... of generous love, and to love God above all ...
/.../iv sermon for christmas day.htm

Immanuel
... proposed an expedient, whereby the exercise of His mercy towards sinners, might
be ... of sin, the worth of soul, and the love of God. ... God manifested in the flesh! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon v immanuel.htm

One Antidote for Many Ills
... of having the very power of the Holy Spirit manifested in our ... his bloody sacrifice
offered for your redemption, by the everlasting love of God, whereby you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/one antidote for many ills.htm

Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence.
... of sins, if mercy were not a manifested attribute of God ... feels the equal reality
and power of the Divine love. ... unforgiven, or of the child of God,"whatever be ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/self-scrutiny in gods presence.htm

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... takes account of works, since to manifest the greatness of his love toward us ... they
remind us that "for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm

Christian Sympathy
... of our pastures, and the dogs of our streets have manifested commiseration towards ...
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... And will ye not love the beginning of it here? ... Seek the righteousness of God. There
is a righteousness of God by faith, manifested in the gospel for lost ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii but seek ye.htm