Know, Believe and Keep Trusting in His Love
God wants us to keep ourselves in his love at all times, especially in our temptations, and to trust in his love as a reality that we can dwell in every day.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remaining in God's love, especially during times of temptation and trial. He explains that true joy comes from dwelling in the knowledge of God's unwavering love, which should be expected daily, regardless of our circumstances. Wilkerson highlights that many believers struggle with feeling secure in God's love based on their performance, but it is crucial to trust in His love even when we fail. He illustrates this with the story of Israel's repentance in Jeremiah 31, showcasing God's compassion and readiness to forgive despite their waywardness. Ultimately, the message is clear: we must keep trusting in God's love, which is steadfast and merciful.
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Anyone can keep his joy when he's riding high in the Holy Ghost, not being tried or tempted. But God wants us to keep ourselves in his love at all times--especially in our temptations.
The apostle John tells us very simply how we can keep ourselves in God's love: "We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). In short, if we "dwell in God's love," we're keeping ourselves in God.
The word dwell here means "to stay in a state of expectancy." In other words, God wants us to expect his love to be renewed in us every day. We're to live every day in the knowledge that God has always loved us, and will always love us.
In reality, most of us flit in and out of God's love according to our emotional ups and downs. We feel safe in his love only if we've done well. But we're unsure of his love whenever we're tempted or tried, or the time we've failed him. That's especially the time we're to trust in his love. He's telling us in these passages, "No matter what the trial you face, you must never doubt my love for you. If you're actively trusting in my love, then you're living the way I want you to live."
Jeremiah 31 offers a wonderful illustration of God's love. Israel was in a backslidden state. The people had grown fat and prosperous and were indulging in all kinds of wickedness.
Then suddenly, their lusts turned sour. They lost all pleasure in fulfilling their sensual appetites. Soon they cried out, "Lord, we're lost. We need you to turn us around." God heard their cry of repentance, and his loving heart went out to them. He chastened the people with his rod of correction--and Israel cried, "Thou hast chastised me...turn thou me, and I shall be turned.... Surely after that I was turned, I repented" (Jeremiah 31:18-19).
Listen to God's words at this point: "...since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him..." (v. 20). "...with lovingkindness have I drawn thee" (v. 3).
Here is what you must know of God's love: God was telling his people, "I had to chasten you and speak hard words of truth to you. Yet even then you sinned against me, doing so despite the grace and mercy I extended to you. You turned against my love, rejecting me. Nevertheless, my bowels of compassion were moved deeply toward you, I remembered you in your struggle--and I will surely have mercy on you. I'll freely forgive and restore you."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Keeping Ourselves in God's Love
- A. God's love is not just a feeling, but a reality that we must trust in
- B. We must dwell in God's love, staying in a state of expectancy
- C. This means living every day in the knowledge of God's love for us
- II. The Problem of Flitting In and Out of God's Love
- A. Many of us feel safe in God's love only when we've done well
- B. We doubt God's love when we're tempted or tried, or when we've failed him
- C. This is the time we're to trust in God's love the most
- III. The Illustration of God's Love in Jeremiah 31
- A. Israel was in a backslidden state, but God's loving heart went out to them
- B. God chastened the people with his rod of correction, but still showed mercy
- C. God's love is not just a feeling, but a reality that we must trust in
Key Quotes
“God wants us to keep ourselves in his love at all times--especially in our temptations.” — David Wilkerson
“God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” — David Wilkerson
“With lovingkindness have I drawn thee” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must trust in God's love, especially during times of temptation and trial.
- We must dwell in God's love, staying in a state of expectancy and living every day in the knowledge of God's love for us.
- God's love is not just a feeling, but a reality that we can trust in and rely on.