What does the Bible say about God's saving love?

God's saving love is an active, sovereign love that infallibly accomplishes salvation for His chosen people. The Bible teaches that God's saving love is not just a vague sentiment but an active force that secures salvation for those He has chosen. This love is distinct from mere benevolence, as it specifically aims to redeem individuals. It acts sovereignly, ensuring that those whom God loves are effectively saved and brought to eternal life, regardless of their former state as sinners. This stands in contrast to the general goodness God shows to all people, which does not guarantee salvation.

How do we know election is true?

Scripture reveals that God elected a people for Himself based on His sovereign purpose and pleasure. The doctrine of election is grounded in Scripture, which affirms that God chose a people for Himself before the foundation of the world. This choice was not based on any foreseen merit or faith on their part but was entirely an act of His sovereign will. Romans 9 illustrates this by showing God's love for Jacob and His rejection of Esau, demonstrating that His election is based solely on His purposes. Therefore, the truth of election is established on the character of God as the sovereign ruler of all creation.

Why is God's sovereignty in salvation important for Christians?

God's sovereignty assures believers that their salvation is secure and not dependent on their efforts. The sovereignty of God in salvation is foundational for the assurance of a believer's salvation. It underscores that God acts mercifully when He saves, and that He is not beholden to offer grace to every individual. This understanding fosters a deep gratitude for salvation, recognizing that it is entirely a work of God, from election through to glorification. Romans 9 addresses the purpose of God's wrath and mercy, emphasizing that salvation is not a result of human effort but of divine grace, which cannot fail because it rests on God's eternal purpose.

The Saving Love of God for His Chosen, Redeemed, and Regenerate People - Various

The saving love of God for His chosen, redeemed, and regenerate people. One of the most glorious truths revealed in Scripture is that God's saving love is not a vague sentiment, a universal affection, or a powerless desire. It is an active, sovereign, redeeming love that infallibly accomplishes the salvation of those upon whom it is set. God's saving love does not merely make salvation possible, it secures salvation for every one of His chosen people.

Modern Christianity often speaks of God's love in a manner that obscures His holiness, justice, wrath, and sovereign freedom. Yet the Bible presents a far richer and more magnificent reality. Scripture teaches both the goodness of God toward all people, and the special saving love of God toward His elect. These truths are not contradictory. They are complementary expressions of the Divine Character.

God's General Goodness Toward All God displays genuine goodness toward all mankind. He gives life, breath, rain, food, family, beauty, order, and countless temporal blessings, even to those who hate Him. Every sunrise upon an unbeliever's face is a gift of divine kindness. Every meal enjoyed by a rebel against God is sustained by divine providence.

Yet God's benevolence toward all people must never be confused with his saving love. Many receive God's earthly gifts while remaining under his wrath. Jesus himself declared, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3.36 Notice that God's wrath does not merely arrive at the final judgment. It already remains upon the unbeliever. Therefore, God's kindness toward the wicked in this life is not evidence that he loves them with the same love he has for his redeemed people. God's Special Saving Love The love that saves is distinct.

Before the foundation of the world, God freely chose a people for himself. He did not choose them because he foresaw any faith, merit, goodness, wisdom, or worthiness in them. He chose them because of his sovereign pleasure and purpose. His love was set upon them, when they were yet sinners. His Son died specifically to redeem them, His Spirit effectually calls them. His Grace regenerates them. His Power preserves them. His Glory receives them.

This is not a weak love that merely offers salvation. This is a conquering love that creates spiritual life, where there was only spiritual death. The redeemed are not ultimately distinguished from the lost because they were wiser, more humble, or more spiritual. They are distinguished because God loved them with a saving love that He did not owe to anyone.

The Sovereignty of God's Saving Love Many stumble over God's sovereignty in salvation, because they assume that mercy is something God owes to every sinner. But mercy owed is no longer mercy. If every sinner deserves judgment, then God acts justly when he judges and mercifully when he saves. The question is not, why does God save only some? The greater question is, why does God save any?

Scripture never apologizes for divine election. Rather, it presents election as one of the greatest displays of God's glory. The same God who declared His love for Jacob also declared, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Romans 9.13 God's sovereign choice magnifies grace, because it removes every ground of human boasting. Salvation belongs entirely to the Lord. The justice of God's saving love Some object that election is unfair. Scripture answers differently. No sinner receives injustice from God. The elect receive mercy. The reprobate receive justice. No one receives injustice.

The Bible repeatedly teaches that God is not morally neutral toward evil. Consider the language scripture uses, You hate all evildoers. Psalm 5 5 The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. Psalm 5 6 God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7 11 The wicked and those who love violence, his soul hates. Psalm 11 5 Modern theology often attempts to soften these declarations, but scripture does not.

God's hatred is not sinful passion. It is His holy opposition to evil, and to those who persist in it. His justice is not contrary to His love. His justice is one of the perfections of His divine character. A God who did not hate evil, would not be good. God's love in the fallen angels an often overlooked truth further clarifies the matter.

God extends no redemptive love toward fallen angels. No savior was provided for demons. No atonement was made for them. No gospel is preached to the angelic rebels. No offer of reconciliation is extended to them. their judgment is certain and irreversible. Yet no one accuses God of injustice, for withholding redemption from fallen angels. Why then should God be considered unjust for withholding saving mercy from fallen humans who likewise deserve judgment? The wonder is not that some are passed over. The wonder is that any are rescued.

John 3.16 and God's hatred of his enemies.

Many assume that John 3.16 disproves the reality of God's hatred toward the wicked. In reality, the verse harmonizes perfectly with the rest of scripture. Jesus declared, 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.

John 3.16 The world does not mean that every individual without exception is loved savingly, or redeemed universally. The immediate context destroys that interpretation. Only 20 verses later Jesus says, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3.36 The same chapter that proclaims God's love, also proclaims God's abiding wrath.

John 3.16 teaches the astonishing breadth of God's saving purpose. God's people are drawn from every tribe, nation, language, and people group across the world, not from Israel alone. The verse celebrates the global scope of redemption, not universal salvation. God genuinely displays kindness toward all. Yet His saving, redeeming love belongs uniquely to those whom He chooses, redeems and elects.

The Sobering Reality of Hell Scripture repeatedly teaches that most people remain on the broad road that leads to destruction. This is not because God failed. It is not because Christ's atonement was insufficient. It is not because God's purposes were frustrated.

It is because God has determined to display both His mercy and His justice. Paul writes, What if God, choosing to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath, prepared for destruction? Romans 9 22 Hell magnifies God's justice. Heaven magnifies God's mercy. Together they reveal the fullness of His glory. Resting in God's sovereign love.

For the believer, these truths are not cold doctrines, but warm comforts. If God's love began with your choice, then it could end with your failure. But because His love began with His eternal purpose, it cannot fail. The Christians' confidence rests not in the strength of their grip upon Jesus, but in Jesus' grip upon them. The saving love of God is sovereign. The saving love of God is effectual. The saving love of God is eternal.

The redeemed will spend eternity marveling at a truth they can never fully exhaust, that the holy God who hates evil, judges sin, and displays perfect justice. Nevertheless He chose to set His saving love upon an innumerable multitude of undeserving sinners, and purchased them with the precious blood of His Son. That is not merely love. i.e. sovereign, redeeming, victorious love.

The Saving Love of God for His Chosen, Redeemed, and Regenerate People

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What does the Bible say about God's saving love?

How do we know election is true?

Why is God's sovereignty in salvation important for Christians?

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The Saving Love of God for His Chosen, Redeemed, and Regenerate People

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's saving love?

How do we know election is true?

Why is God's sovereignty in salvation important for Christians?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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