By: Randall E. Pickens, Sr.
In this article I will attempt to reveal the love nature of Yahweh (God). This is a difficult task in the societies in which we live because most cultures will attempt to compare Yahweh to the role of the father in the society known to them. This is varied from that of western and eastern cultures and in either case falls short of the realty of our heavenly father. So, we must go to the holy scriptures to establish the characteristics of our “father God”, Yahweh.
We all know that Yahweh is the creator. So, we can fast forward to the subject of this article. I do believe it is fundamentally required to answer the “Why did he create us?” or we will never really understand the depth of His love for us.
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
God creates all things for His pleasure; therefore, Yahweh creates us for His pleasure too. I want you to meditate on this for a while and really try to grasp that Yahweh “desires” something from you! Yes, YOU! In this reality, we then can begin to realize the immense disappointment and sorrow He experienced due to the loss of relationship with Adam and Eve at the fall.
Satan knowing, he could not conquer God went after the man God so beloved. In Gen 3:21 we see that God shed blood to cover Adam and Eve in their nakedness. This is in keeping with the truth that the wages of sin are death and only God could offer a remedy. But what we need to grasp here is that God immediately devised a plan to save His precious man and the relationship He desired! Now, this is the foundation of His love for us all. The animal sacrifice was a temporary solution that would pave the way for the final solution; the sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus). Genesis 3:15 reveals the final solution promised by God.
Gen_3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Now this brings us to a familiar scripture;
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Now, it should be noted that God’s love is uniquely characterized by sacrifice. He was willing to pay a dear price for our salvation. The life of His Son.
Agape (divine) love is truly a godly, self-giving love. This is why we have difficulty comprehending the depth of this love verses the philio (brotherly friendship) love or the eros (intimate) love which is earthly. This is at the core of Peter’s dilemma reflected in John 21:15-17. Peter is asked three times if he loved Yeshua (Jesus). Peter was asked twice if he “agape” loved Yeshua and then finally if he “philio” loved Yeshua. Peter knew he wasn’t capable of loving on a “divine” level and in all three appeals he responded, I “philio” love you. This was an honorable response from Peter, at that point he had no potential for “agape” love. The gift of the Holy Spirit had yet to be given so Peter was incapable of “agape” love. Thanks be to Yahweh God and Yeshua (Jesus) for the gift of the Holy Spirit which allows us to experience and exhibit “agape” love now!
Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. Joh 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter would go on to deny Yeshua (Jesus) three times while under the persecution of the Romans and the crucifixion events. However, once he had received the Holy Spirit would become the great Apostle of Jerusalem and establish the church there. He would finally achieve the level of “agape” love for Yahweh, Yeshua, and his fellow man.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
My prayer for my brothers and sisters throughout the world; receive Yeshua (Jesus) the Christ, the Son of the living God and receive the gift of His Holy Spirit!
1Jn 4:10-11 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
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