How do we know God's love is particular?

The concept of God's particular love is most clearly illustrated in the covenantal framework presented in Scripture, where God elects a specific people to receive His grace. This is not a generalized love but one that is intentionally directed towards the elect, exemplifying a profound commitment to their salvation. Passages such as Ephesians 1:4 affirm that believers were chosen in Christ before the creation of the world, indicating a deliberate act of love towards a distinct group.

Moreover, the love demonstrated through Christ's sacrificial death underscores the particularity of God's love. As John Owen aptly pointed out, if Christ died for all men universally, then all would be saved, which contradicts Scripture's teaching that not all will accept this gift of salvation. Therefore, we see that God's love, while extended in essence to all, is effectively realized in the lives of those He has chosen, hence establishing His love as particular and purposeful.