The Love Of God 3

1 John 3:1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon US, that WE should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (Bold capitals mine, and I trust, yours.)

Doddridge: Now on this view I would entreat you attentively to dwell; as indeed no subject can be more worthy of your serious regard. Behold, my brethren, behold with delight and holy admiration, what manner of love, what immense, unutterable, inconceivable condescension*s of love, the Father of universal nature, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hath bestowed upon us sinful mortals, that we should be honored with so sublime an appellation, should be called the children of God; as he hath himself expressed it, I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and my daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:17: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

It is true, indeed, this is a dignity which only attracts the observation of very few, and in this respect the world knows us not, and doth not acknowledge us for what we really are, because it knowest not him who is God*s eternal and first-born Son, the Head of the family, through whom we have received the adoption.

Haweiss: The apostle here breaks forth with admiration in the view of the love of God toward his people. Behold, with wonder and amaze, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, in Jesus Christ, that we, by nature and practice so vile, corrupt, and sinful, should, notwithstanding, be adopted into his family, and be called the sons of God, advanced to that transcendent dignity and honour: therefore the world, who have their minds wholly engrossed with sensible objects, and have no discernment of spiritual things, knoweth us not; far from esteeming and valuing us, they deride and persecute us for that image which we bear, because it knew him not, they are ignorant of God; and when his Son appeared incarnate, they nailed him to a tree. Note, (1.) The meanest child of God hath a dignity infinitely greater than the first-born of princes. (2.) It will be matter of everlasting wonder and praise to the redeemed, that ever God should set his love upon them. (3.) If we are treated with derision and contempt by this wicked world, we should remember the cross which Jesus bore, and be ashamed to murmur.

Galatians 2:20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved ME, and gave himself for ME. (Bold capitals mine, and I trust, yours.)

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