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August 22, 2021
Love Moved First | Part 2
Love Moves to Reconcile
(Romans 5:6 – 11) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
1. Love takes the initiative.
(Romans 5:8, 10 CSB) But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
(Ephesians 3:4 – 7 CSB) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
(Matthew 5:23-24 CSB) Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
2. Love speaks the truth despite our feelings.
(Ephesians 4:15 CSB) Speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head – Christ.
(1 Corinthians 13:4 – 6) Love is kind . . . is not rude . . . love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.
(John 14:6) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
3. Love offers correction.
(Galatians 6:1) Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
(Matthew 18:15 – 17 CSB) If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.
4. Love extends forgiveness and restoration.
(1 Corinthians 13:5 CSB) [Love] does not keep a record of wrongs.
(Galatians 6:1 CSB) Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.
