God's Love For The World
God's Love For The World GOD’S LOVE FOR THE WORLD
By S. E. TEMPLETON
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). The title of this subject is not expressed in this text in so many words, but the same truth is contained in this text. I feel my inability to address you on this very wonderful subject. I shall make it my aim in this address to speak plainly; for I remember that Paul wrote, “So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.” (1 Corinthians 14:9). I grant yoil that the primary meaning of Paul’s words is not the same that I am using this passage to set forth, but the principle I have in mind is in this passage. To my mind John 3:16 covers all of God’s dealings with the human family since the fall in the Garden of Eden to this present time; and also all of God’s dealings with the human family yet to be revealed.
“GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD”
When did God love the world? God said, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Gen. 3:15). “Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannual, so as to make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: out God hath granted it to Abraham by promise. What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law. But the Scripture shut all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. So that the law is become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.- For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.’’ (Galatians 3:16-27). From these two passages we understand that God’s love now under conisderation began in the garden of Eden; that it was with Abraham in God’s promise to him; that it was ever present in all of God’s dealings with the children of Israel, especially in God’s love foreshadowed in all the blood offerings under the law; and through the writings of the old prophets God’s love is noticeable in that “the seed” (Christ) is” spoken of so often. And in all the Scriptures following these periods of time we observe that God’s love is the chief subject even to the very close of the last book of the New Testament. “So loved” means what? A part of the definition of the word “so” is, “In such a degree as cannot be well expressed.” Webster). The human mind is unable to express the degree to which God loved the world. We note the following as an explanation: “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past, tracing out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again ? For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36). “The world” means what? It does not mean the earth, but sinful souls. The following passages will prove the last statement: “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulnes thereof.” (1 Corinthians 10:26). V‘We before laid to the charge of both Jews and Greeks, that they are all .under sin; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:9-10). “For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Romans 11:32). “For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8).
“THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON”
How “gave?” In answer we read the following: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovan hath laid on him the iniquity of all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6). And in the tenth and eleventh verses of this same ehap- ter of Isaiah we read, “Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; lie hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand. He shall sec the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.” “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth may m him have eternal life.” (Jno. 3:14,15). As an explanation of the passage just quoted ivc read, “And Moses made a serpent of brass, and set it upon the standard: and it came to pass that if a serpent had bitten any man, -when he looked upon the serpent of brass, he lived.” (Numbers 21:9). "Gave his only begotten Son”? Before I answer this question by God’s Word let me ask you to drive out of your heart that “false modesty” which sometimes causes people to think that certain plain statements in God’s word should not be publicly mentioned. Now” Ave are i'?a||y to read, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call bis name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14). We read of the fulfillment of this prophecy in these words, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ Avas on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.* And Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But when he thought on these things behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for it' is he that shall save his people from their sins. Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.” (Matthew 1:18-23).
Jesus was not “the son of Joseph as it is falsely taught by some people of this time. I think we can correctly say that Jesus was Joseph’s son “legally.” But as proof that Jesus was not “the son of Joseph” as is falsely claimed in our day, I quote the following Scriptures: “And Jesus himself when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph” (Luke 3:23). Luke thought it was necessary to put into parenthesis marks the expression, “as was supposed.” By this he plainly states that Jesus was not the son of Joseph, but only “supposed” to be. God’s own words in this matter should be read now. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matt. 17:5). Jesus said he was “the Son of God.” “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said.” (Matt. 26:63, 64). “He trusteth in God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him; for he said, I am the Son of God.” (Matt. 27:43). When had these mocking Jews heard Jesus say, “I am the Son of God”? They had heard him say that when he said, in answer to the high priest who said unto him, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16). John said, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the father), full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). The person who teaches “the son of Joseph doctrine” as referred to before, is a “liar” and one who denies both God and Christ. Says one, “Are you not a little drastic in making such a statement?” In reply I say that I do not want to be any more “drastic” than God’s word; and that I know that I should speak in love, for Paul wrote, “Let all that ye do be done in love.” (1 Cor. 16:14). But I tell you that all people who are in tune with God’s love are ready to accept God’s plain words. I give the words of God through John to prove my statements. “Who Is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that con- fesseth the Son hath the Father also” (1 John 2:22, 23). This false doctrine we are now considering rejects God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the apostles, and both the Old and New Testaments; and it will finally damn the soul that believes and teaches it.
“THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETII ON HIM
SHOULD NOT PERISH”
What is the meaning of “whosoever believeth on him”? It is evident that the idea is that all people who believe on Christ truly will not perish. The following Scriptures so teach: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ’ ’ (Matthew 11:28-30). “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink.” (John 7:37). “Except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24). “But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9). “Believeth on him” prohibits believing- “on” some other. Let us understand that this is true from these Scriptures: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved, but he that disbelievetli shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16). “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16, A. V.). “And in none other is there any salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20).
What is the meaning of “should not perish”? The words “should not” carry the idea of the future. There is confidence expressed in “should not.” This idea of confidence is made stronger by these words of Christ: “All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37). It is very evident that the word “perish” carries the idea of destruction. Where “perish”? “But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burnetii with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8). How “perish”? Answer: “With fire and brimstone.” When “perish”? “But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matthew 25:31-33). In verse forty-one of the same chapter we read, “Then shall he say also unto them on his left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.” Then in verse forty-six we read, “And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.” Therefore we seripturally conclude that ungodly souls will “perish” at the time of Christ’s second coming. Says one, “Wait a minute. You have forgotten that Christ will come and receive his kingdom here on earth and reign over it for a thousand years and then the wicked will he destroyed.’’
It would he hard to “forget” something you cannot know. But let us read a little more of God’s word, and see what we can learn about Christ “receiving his kingdom at his second coming.” “But each, in his own order: Christ the first fruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall “deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:23-25). Christ evidently has the kingdom under his authority now, else how could he “deliver up the kingdom to God” at his coming? Also how could he “reign” unless he has a kingdom now over which to “reign”? But to prove beyond any doubt that Christ has the kingdom now we read that God “delivered us out-of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love” (Colossians 1:13). There is no use to give more proof that Christ has the kingdom under his authority now, and that he is now reigning over the kingdom of God. It is foolish to argue against these truths from God’s word. So we conclude that the wicked will “perish” at the time of Christ’s second coming.
“BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE”
The word “but” presents the idea of contrast. Instead of perishing souls through God’s love have the privilege of obtaining a much more desirable condition. “Have” denotes that true believers will in the future actually possess the wonderful, grand, glorious, and desirable state mentioned here.
How may souls obtain “eternal life”? In answer we read that when Jesus had been made perfect, “he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation.” (Hebrews 5:9). Now the question arises, how do people “obey him”? “But thanks be to God, that whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18, A. Y. and R. V.). In verses three and four of the same chapter we find just what the “form of doctrine” is. “Or are ye ignorant that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptzed into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, even so we also might walk in newness of life.'” But the obedience of souls who are to receive “eternal life” does not stop with obeying “that form of doctrine.” Proof: “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we shall live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14). When and where have “eternal life”? When Christ comes to earth again, and in “the world to come,” I answer. Proof: “But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-32). Now verse forty-six of this same chapter states, “And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.” Words could not be plainer to prove that “eternal life” will be given to the righteous when Christ comes back to earth again. But says one, “You overlook the fact that Christ will come and the righteous dead will be raised ‘first’ to reign for a thousand years here on this earth with Christ, then the wicked dead will be raised, after which ‘eternal life’ will be given to the righteous.”
Anything that is not an established truth cannot be a fact and therefore cannot be “overlooked” because it does not exist as “a fact.” But as proof of this idea in the question just submitted this passage is given: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This passage has been perverted to mean that “the dead in Christ shall rise first” and reign with Christ a thousand years here on this earth, and “then” the wicked dead will be raised. This passage does not have that idea in it. The writer, Paul, no more had that idea in mind when he wrote it than I have in mind flying to the moon. If the proper emphasis I have placed on the passage under consideration is noticed it will be clear that another idea besides the false one submitted was in the mind of Paul, the writer. Notice the emphasis as I have just now given it. (Reread 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, noticing the emphasis). But let us notice verses thirteen, fourteen and fifteen which make this matter still clearer: “But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring forth with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.”
Now with the proper emphasis standing where I have placed it we see that the thing Paul was teaching was that the righteous living at Christ’s coming will not-precede the righteous dead, but that the righteous dead will be raised “first” and “then” the righteous living “shall together with them be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Instead of this passage proving that “the dead in Christ” will be raised a thousand years before the wicked, and reign on this earth that long, it flatly denies it by not even suggesting it. And especially it denies it when read in connection with Matthew 25:31-46. If a thousand years’ reign is taught in the New Testament (and I have my doubts about a literal reign with Christ for a thousand years on this earth being taught any- ivhere in the New Testament), it certainly is not taught by 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. So “eternal life” will be received by the righteous at the time of Christ’s coming to earth again. And it will be enjoyed “in the world to come.” Jesus so states it when he says that many blessings will be bestowed upon his disciples in this world, “and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:30). One more passage of Scripture will be enough on this thought under consideration now. “ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14, A. V.). This passage is in the last book in the Bible and in the last chapter. Therefore I verily believe that John 3:16 covers all of God’s dealings with the human family since the fall in the Garden of Eden unto the time when God’s people shall “enter in through the gates into the city.” So now we understand what God’s love for the world has done, is doing, and iyill do. How thankful all souls should be that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have, eternal life!” How willing all people should be to obey every command of God because of his great love! Why not let God’s love, through Jesus Christ, now draw you to him? What will you do with God’s love? Will you not accept it now? Do not reject it now, for the Christ is saying to you, just now, “Come unto me.”