John3:16,Genesis 1:27-30,Genesis 3:21.
We could see in genesis 3:21,that after the fall of man,God still showed love to us,he did not say since it was them that went on their own way against my commandments let me leave them alone in their shameful form but instead ,dispite of our arrogance and disobedience he killed a Lamb for us(the first sacrifice of God to mankind) and not just that,he made us clothe to still beautify our lives.how many people are still like this today ? So many called Christians cannot forgive, they hold onto an offence even when the person is dieing and say he did this,she did that they are so and so,I cannot do this and that, I will not waste my resources on you,do you remember ?! When I was praying and it seemed like my prayers was not answered ;that I asked you for food but instead you mocked me.now it is my time. If God had done this to man,will we be saved ? In john3:16,we see how much God loves us to the extend that he sent his Son Jesus to come to save us,that he offered unto us his son has a sacrifice that we may live.just Has God,he wants us also to love every one both foes,enemies and friends and to work in unity, willing to sacrifice for others.
Like in a senerio, when someone has #400k (four hundred thousand naira) and had planned on the money what he/she will use it for,but an enemy comes unto him saying brother/sister,I know that we are fighting but please my mum/dad/aunt/uncle/relative/loved one/others is in the hospital and needs #200k(two hundred thousand naira) urgently to perform the operations, the money is #500k(five hundred thousand naira) but have been able to raise #300k(three hundred naira) please help me.knowing too well that #200k(two hundred thousand naira) from #400k(four hundred thousand naira) is #200k(two hundred thousand naira) and will suffer for sometime if he gives out the money, the scripture makes us to understand that it is better to give that enemy the money and suffering than for you to reject him. Christ in love,though we(man) rejected him,still laid his life for us .this is so important , teaching the extend of which loves and sacrifing for others is important in our daily life. Matthew chapter 1verses twenty one (Matthew 1:21).
Important of God love and sacrifice for mankind.
1.salvation:– God love and sacrifice brought salvation, in love christ endured all the pains and suffering that we may live. Isaiah 53:3-5a.
2.Restoration:-restoration means getting back what a person had lost,just has we were told in chapter one of this book,men lost relationship and the glory of God due to sin,but due to God love and sacrife man was restored back unto God image and recreated in God Glory. Joel 2:25
3.health:- yes health it is not the drug we use that heals us but God in his love and due to his mercy and sacrife heals us,that why some one might take a drug and it will not work .on health again he gave human wisdoms on how to use the herbs and trees and other resources to cure or prevent illness.God love and sacrife is what brings about healing, Due to man sin they lost the battle to sickness but God in his love send unto us a great sacrifice to heal and give us health. Isaiah 53:4&5.
4.provision:- provision means giving someone something. God love brought about provisions for mankind, genesis1:27-30,we see here God provided for man needs but due to sins man lost this. God in love in Joel2:25 restores this provisions which was lost.God had promise to alls provide for your needs be it spiritually emotionally, academically, financially, physically, physiologically or in any area maybe you are heart broken or dispress, if you come to God he is faithful and willing to help you. Deuteronomy 8:18,joel2:24-26.
5:redemption:- redemption means to set free.God love and sacrifice did a great work here.Through christ dead,we was redeemed from slavery to Satan,sin,sickness and death. Ephesians 1:14,Colossians 1:20,Ephesians 2:14-18.
6. God love and sacrife brings us back to the initial purpose of God for man.
7. Assurance of victory and safety: so many people are living in fear ,fear of death,fear of defeat fear of the future fear of anything .God does not want us to live in fear, due to God sacrifice he took away fear and gave us victory. God love brought safety, after man fell ,fear and insecurity took over we can see that in Genesis 3:6-10.but God in love brought us back unto the him self.when man fell , we because insecure he became insecure to death,sickness,depression, lack,suffering, sin,Satan,and all .death could just come and shake us we start looking for an hiding place but when you accept God love and sacrife for you even if you hear death is coming, you will not fear. Psalm 91:4-7,proverb 3:23-26,Isaiah 54:15&17,proverb 18:10,Isaiah 41:10&11,luke10:19,Romans 8:35&37.
You can claim all this if you firstly surrender your life to him he shall fulfill all this in your live.
Prayer
O Lord my God strength my heart through thy spirit to love even my worst enemy and to sacrifice for others.
Lord Jesus your sacrifice shall not be in vain in my life.
Who today the lord shall save,preserve and protect me from evils.
Lord Jesus have mercy on me.
O Lord give me the grace to love.
Pray other prays that might come to your mind with this ones. .
If you are not save this cannot be so in your life so the steps and modes to be saved will be taught in the next chapter on SALVATION. may the lord help us.