From the Desk of Jeff King

God's masterpiece

The Bible is a canvas in God's hands, and He uses it to paint us a picture of Himself. Depending on the translation, sometimes we don’t see Him as clearly as we should. Take, for instance, Yeshua’s words in John 14:23 – "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." It is a beautiful passage on its own, but the English fails to convey the depth of God’s love found in the original Greek text.

According to Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, the Greek verb used here for love – agapao – expresses ideas previously unknown. "Inquiry into its use, whether in Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the NT," the book states. "Agape (the corresponding noun) and agapao are used in the NT to describe the attitude of God toward His Son (John 17:26), the human race, generally (John 3:16, Romans 5:8) and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." In other words, it would seem that God created a word exclusively to describe His infinite love for fallen man. The commentary explores this theme even further: "Obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects. It was an exercise of the divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself. . . . In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant love and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential love in them towards the Giver, and a practical love towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver."

Notice what it says in the last sentence – the source of agape love is God Himself. Not only does the Lord extend undeserved favor to man, He gives us the capacity to love Him in return and to seek the welfare of all. This is a pattern I see throughout Scripture: God gives of Himself so generously and asks for so little in return. In Deuteronomy 30, God promised to bless the Israelites if they would simply love Him and walk in His ways. Yeshua allowed Himself to be beaten, mocked and crucified so we could be set free of our sin and shame. All He desires in return is a surrendered heart. By receiving His gift of grace by faith, we become adopted sons and daughters of the Most High and tabernacle with Him forever. Now that's a masterpiece.