God’s Love
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Christ. They could only say, “Herein is love.” The entire universe
gives expression to this love and to God’s unbounded benevolence.
God might have sent His Son into the world to condemn the world.
But amazing grace! Christ came to save, not to destroy. The apostles
never touched this theme without their hearts glowing with the inspira-
tion of the matchless love of the Saviour. The apostle John cannot find
words to express his feelings. He exclaims, “Behold, what manner
of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
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the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew
Him not” (
1 John 3:1
). How much the Father loved us we can never
compute. There is no standard with which to compare it.—
Letter 27,
1901
Satan Responsible for Conception of a Harsh, Stern God—
Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is
stern justice—one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor.
He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye
to discern the errors and mistakes of men that He may visit judgments
upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the
world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men.—
Steps to Christ, 11
(1892).
Love Between the Father and the Son a Type—However much
a shepherd may love his sheep, he loves his sons and daughters more.
Jesus is not only our shepherd; He is our “everlasting Father.” And
He says, “I know Mine own, and Mine own know Me, even as the
Father knoweth me, and I know the Father” (
John 10:14
, RV). What
a statement is this!—the only-begotten Son, He who is in the bosom
of the Father, He whom God has declared to be “the man that is
my fellow” (
Zechariah 13:7
)—the communion between Him and the
eternal God is taken to represent the communion between Christ and
His children on the earth!—
The Desire of Ages, 483
(1898).
God loves the followers of Christ as He loves His only-begotten
Son.—
Manuscript 67, 18949.
Christ’s Love Is a Vitalizing, Healing Energy—The love which
Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every
vital part—the brain, the heart, the nerves—it touches with healing.
By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees
the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush
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the life-forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in