Reconciling of Gods Love

Colossians 1:20-22 (I love the word “reconciliation”).

There are three things God loves more than anything else.

The first love of God is His love of HOLINESS. Malachi 2:11—Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved… God’s name is “Holy” (Luke 1:49). The seraphims fly about God’s throne saying, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:3 cf. Rev. 4:8). Holy is the Father… Holy is the Son… Holy is the Spirit. 41 times the Bible calls God the “most holy.” 51 times He is called “the holy One.”

Secondly, God loves JUSTICE. Psalms 37:28—For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Isaiah 61:8—For I the LORD love judgment… God is just and holy. Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14 calls God, “the Just One.” Jeremiah 50:7 says God is “the habitation of justice.”

Thirdly, God loves MAN. Titus 3:4—But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared… 1 John 4:10—Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us…

1. LOVE’S COMMUNION.
   1. Harmony  in the Garden—
      1. Holiness, justice, and man walked in beautiful harmony with God in the Garden of Eden. There was sweet fellowship between all four.
      2. But something came between God and man—SIN!Man sinned when he decided to eat of the tree God forbade him to eat. The beautiful love relationship between God’s holiness, and justice, and man was broken.
   2. Free will—God’s love for man gave man a free will so man could freely choose to love God. But when Adam partook of the forbidden fruit, he made a choice to love himself more than God.
2. LOVE’S CONFLICT. 

PARTIAL SERMON:  see PDF for full sermon