A Special Love

A Special Love by Gerald Van Horn

Galations 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: never the less I live; but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Introduction: We must always look at salvation from the grace of almighty God. If anyone had the right to look at salvation from the point of his works and deeds the Apostle Paul had that right but he did not rest on those merits. We find him repeating himself time and time again that it all rested upon “the Son of God whom I have loved, and to whom I have given myself, whose I am and who I serve.” He searches beyond his accomplishments and feelings and taps the well spring of his salvation. He states, “the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. It is alright to give thanks for and express gratitude for health and wealth but we must never forget to give thanks for His love to us. It is has a humbling effect.

1. The Fact Remembered. “who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Such love is attainable. It is the real meat of God’s word. It does not speak of His benevolence or work among men. It speaks of a special love. A love that everyone can know. This love is like static electricity it gets a hold of you and sticks to you. The Word of God gives us solid ground for a special kind of love. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” I believe therefore I have eternal life.

“We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.” “One thing I know, once I was lost but now I am found." "Once I was blind but now I see.” “The Spirit beareth wittness with our spirit that we are children of God.’

Repeat text here:

Away with all doubts. Away with all fears. It’s time to rejoice in God’s great love for us.

Please know:

1) It is a divine love.

I could delight in that fact that some politician loves me.

I could delight in the fact that the president of the U.S. loves me.

I could delight in the fact that my boss loves me.

I could delight in the fact that I am loved by all.

* But nothing delights my heart more than the fact that the Son of God loves me.

2) It is an ancient love.

He loves now. He has loved me. He will love me. It is an everlasting love. God offers a

chance to just dive in and help yourself. Get wet with the truth.

3) It is a practical love.

This love is the best that God could do.

In order to show God’s love Jesus gave His all. He gave His crown, His throne, His

manhood, His life, His merits, His suffering, His death, His office, His excellence, but

best of all He gave Himself. Measure it with a caliper and it always comes out the same for it

measures right to Himself. He gave Himself to you and to me a long, long time ago. He did it in the eons of eternity. We remember His cross. We remember His stripes. We remember His crown of thorns. We remember the shame that He bore. We remember His enemies mocking Him. We remember the blooding sweat that He shed. How He kept nothing back.

He endured for us. “His own self bore our sins in His own body on the tree.” He kept nothing

Back. He gave His all.

4) That love is an immeasurable love.

Do not measure love by it’s gifts? This was and is an immeasurable love given by an

immeasurable gift. Man has been able to put limits on things of this earth. We can measure

it’s surface. It’s topography. It’s geography. But man can not measure the love of God.

* Our motto should be “Christ first, self last and nothing between.”

II. Faith in that love confessed.

Paul says, “I live by the faith of the Son of God." A better translation for faith would be faithfulness. In theology approaching faith is a law term. Faith and love is law unto itself.

It is a matter of the fact presented, the fact received, the fact enjoyed.

** Please note:

Adam enjoyed forgiveness.

Abraham enjoyed promise..

Isaac enjoyed the inheritance.

Jacob enjoyed the birthright.

King David enjoyed the joy.

Daniel enjoyed the protection.

Sampson enjoyed the victory.

Mary enjoyed the announcement.

Jesus enjoyed the cross. Why? Because he was doing it for us.

If you have not received this special love do so now. The alter of God is long and He can reach you.