2023.02.05 - Love Isn’t, Love Is! How Do You See God

How we treat others and how we act is an outward expression of how we see God. If you view God as a loving Father, then chances are you will love unconditionally. If you view God as only a just God that will just punish sin, then you may view people with little tolerance. How do you see God? I) The Description of God's Love (vv. 8, 11, 13, 17) How do you describe a rose to a blind person? How do you describe the infinite love of God to impure, finite humans? One of the most vivid characteristics of God is that he is a God of love. The Psalmist was descriptive in recording the love-nature of God. (Psalm 103:8), (Psalm 103:11), (Psalm 103:13), and (Psalm 103:17). II) The Definition of God's Love (v. 2) The point is not simply that God "loves," but that he is love itself. Love is not merely one of his attributes, but his very nature. God has your best interest in mind. He wants to give you good gifts and provide you with "all his benefits" (Psalm 103:2). III) The Benefits of God's Love (v. 2) The Psalmist uncovers all the phases of life that God's love has touched and in turn benefited and blessed the recipient. A) Spiritually (v. 3, 12) B) Emotionally (v. 3) C) Eternally (v. 4) D) Authoritatively (v. 4) E) Physically (v. 5) F) Judicially (v. 6) IV) The knowledge of God's love What should I know about God's love? A) God's love is all consuming The number of times the three-lettered word "all" is used in this text reminds us that God's love is all consuming. His love touches every area of our lives. There is nowhere we can go to escape his love. B) God's love is personal The Bible cuts through all the philosophical abstractions and declares that God is a Person. As a personal being God is capable of loving and being loved. And as a personal being he loves each one of us intensely personal. C) God's love is beyond comprehension (vv. 13-14) Amazing, isn't it? God knows me and still loves me. Like a father's love for a wayward and rebellious son that waits anxiously for him to return home so he