His Love Endures Forever

The Bible assures us that we have no ability in ourselves to contribute anything to our salvation. Paul wrote, “For when we were yet without strength (Rom 5:6).” Without strength is also translated, “helpless.”

The natural man is offended by this biblical assessment. He might imagine that he is spiritually sick but certainly not dead. Dead men have zero abilities, and this is what Paul was quoting in Romans 3:10–12 and what he wrote in Ephesians 2:1–3.

What hope is there for the helpless? Our only hope is Jesus Christ (Col 1:27). At the appointed time, Christ died for the ungodly (Rom 5:6). With no capacity to save himself, man must trust another to be his Savior (Titus 1:3; 2:13; 3:6). Here is the crux of the Christian faith; our hope is in Christ alone (Ps 62:5; 1 Cor 15:19).

The hope of the godless will perish (Job 8:13). Therefore, the ungodly must hope in God (Ps 42:4, 11). The unjust sinner must look to the just One, who alone is the Justifier of sinners (Rom 3:26). For a man is justified, by God’s grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:24). The death of Christ is foolishness to the natural man who lacks spiritual discernment (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14) because he does not have the Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9).

For the Christian, the death of Christ is the supreme view to the love of God. In love, God sent his only begotten Son to die for helpless, ungodly, unjust sinners (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 3:18). He demonstrated His love toward us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).

Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). This imagery tethers us to eternity on one side and to the cross on the other. Our salvation is eternal, but it was executed in time at Golgotha.

In the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2 :23), God purposed in His will (Eph 3:11) to love His own (Eph 1:4). These were given to Christ (Jn 6:37), and for them He came to die (Eph 5:25), in order to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). In other words, God has loved His chosen people with an everlasting love (Mic 7:18; 1 Jn 4:19).

When the Christian hears of God’s eternal plan, it is proof of God’s love. When the believer hears of Christ’s substitutionary death, a propitiation for sin (Rom 3:25–27; Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10), he has proof of God’s love. These are not just facts; nor is this a provocation to some kind of feeling or emotion. Rather, men are to listen to the preaching of the Gospel that declares that all men should look to the cross of Calvary to see true love. Who can open the eyes of the blind to see Jesus?

The natural man is blind to spiritual things (1 Cor 2:14; 2 Cor 4:4); therefore, the Spirit of Christ must give him eyes to see. The ungodly have no will to desire God, nor do they have any ability to transform their disposition. It must be God who has mercy upon whom He wills (Rom 9:15).

So, we see love being proved because of God’s eternal plan of salvation. He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). Love is also seen in Christ’s willingness to come from heaven, to empty Himself of His glory (Phil 2:5–11). We see His love demonstrated in His whole life and earthly ministry. Supremely manifested at the cross, the love of Christ for His bride, the church, is unquestioned. He loved her and gave Himself for her (Eph 5:25).

Love is proved in the work of the Spirit, sent to serve as a token of God’s love. The Spirit is the pledge of betrothal (2 Cor 1:22; 5:5). The Spirit is the Helper and Comforter, who is preparing Christ’s bride for their wedding day (Mt 22, 24–25). The Spirit teaches the Word of promise and brings to remembrance that precious Word of hope, on each day of distress for God’s people.

From being helpless, to an ever-increasing strength, the beloved of God become bold in bearing witness of God’s love for His adopted children (Acts 1:8; Rom 8:15, 23; 1 Jn 3:1). It is the Spirit’s witness with our Spirit; and it is the Spirit bearing witness to others, that Christ is all in all.

While the world remains at enmity with God (Rom 5:10); we have peace with God (Rom 5:1). While the world is built on sinking sand (Mt 7:26); we stand firm in Christ by His grace. While the world boasts in the pride of their best life now; we exult in the hope of glory (Rom 8:18, 30; 1 Cor 1:31).

The ungodly invite God’s wrath daily (Rom 1:18), in their works of evil (Jn 3:19). Christ’s propitiatory death has delivered His redeemed from the wrath they deserve (1 Thess 1:10). God has had mercy. He has extended grace upon grace to His saints. Christ died for us (Rom 5:8), for the ungodly (Rom 5:6), whom God has graciously spared. This was His plan from eternity. This was His plan at the cross. This was His plan when He sent His Spirit to raise your soul from the dead (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13)!

Christian, one thing is sure in all of these marvelous works of our Triune God. When God set this love upon you, it was the beginning of a good work that cannot fail (Phil 1:6). His love endures forever. If there was ever proof of true love, our God has demonstrated it from beginning to end. Beloved, you are loved in Christ Jesus.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

April 25, 2022