What do those who love God, gladly receive?
(Deut. 7:7-13; 1 Cor. 13:1-13; 1 John 4:1-21;) Blog Oct. 17-23, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: There on the Plains of Moab beside the Jordan River Moses began his farewell address with a brief review of Israel’s history. This was so that God’s people would realize his loving care in their past history and trust him to give them good laws for their future wellbeing. Moses’ address recorded in the book of Deuteronomy is about covenantal love.
Love for God
1. When society speaks about “love” to what are they referring? For everyday society “love” means an impulsive passion – a strong sensual attraction, emotion, or feeling (Gen. 27:4; 2 Sam. 13:4).
2. According to the Bible what is “love”? Love is a pure, holy, unselfish principle that motivates a person to seek the good of others (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
3. Who is the embodiment of love? God is love for that is his nature from which all his actions flow (1 John 4:8).
4. What was God expressing when he made a covenant with his people? By making a covenant with his people God was expressing love for them & a desire that they love him in return (Deut. 7:7-9; Isa. 43:4).
5. What is the reason that God’s people should love him? God’s people should love him because he first loved them & showed it in creation & in redemption (Deut. 7:7-9; 11:7-9; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:10-11).
6. Before a person can love God what must they have? In order for a person to love God they must first believe that he is a good God, for without faith it is impossible to please him (Deut. 10:12-13; Heb. 11:60.
7. When a person believes God what does God do so that they can then love him? God changes the believer’s heart (give him a new heart), writes his law there, so she can then love him (Deut. 30:6; Jer. 31:33; Eze. 36:24-27).
8. How is love for God demonstrated in the life of a believer? Love for God is demonstrated by obedience to all his commandments (Deut. 5:10; 10:12-13; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).
9. In what areas of our being will love be a motivating force as we keep God’s Commandments? Our love for God will shine through our hearts, soul, mind, & strength in fulfillment of the first great commandment (Deut. 6:5; Mark 12:28-30).
Love for others
10. What reason does the Bible give for us to love others? We are to love others because God first loved us (we should love others even as much as we love ourselves) (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; 1 John 4:11).
11. What unlikely people does God want us to love? God wants us to love strangers, widows, orphans, & our enemies (Deut. 10:17-19; Matt. 5:44).
12. If we love one another, of what is that evidence? If we love one another that is evidence that God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us (Deut. 34:9; 1 John 4:12-13).
13. How does Paul in Romans describe love? Paul writes that love does not mistreat others, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:19).
14. What pattern of love did Jesus recommend for his disciples? Jesus said that we should love one another as he loved us (John 12:15).
15. What did Jesus say would show the world that he was sent from God? The love we manifest for one another in the church shows that Jesus was sent from God to be the Saviour of the world (John 17:21-23).
The Fruit of Love
16. Is there room for our love to grow after we receive a new heart from God? After receiving a new heart there is still much room for our love to grow (Phil. 1:9; 1 Thes. 3:12).
17. As the result of what divine act is our love made perfect? Our love for God & for others is perfected as a result of God’s final judgment in which he blots out our sins & seals us with his perfecting Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 13:9-10; 1 John 4:10).
18. What actions does true love produce in the life? True love produces deeds of helpfulness & kindness to others, sacrificing our desires to meet their needs while rejoicing in the truth & bearing cheerfully the insults of others. It produces obedience to God’s Commandments (Deut. 5:10; 1 Cor. 13:4-8).
19. What do those whom God loves and who love him, gladly receive? Those who love God & are loved by him gladly receive his Word to them (Deut. 33:3).
20. What fruit did God promise would result from his love for his people and their love for him? God promised to bless & multiply his people, their children, their crops, & their herds above all other people; to deliver them from all sickness, & to give them victory in their endeavors (Deut. 7:13-15; 11:13-14, 22-23; 30:16).