Scripture:

Romans 5:1-8; 1 “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

This is the last Sunday of GFBC Heart Month and we have designated today as Love Thy Neighbor Sunday. It is appropriate that our Scripture portion today directs us to look deep into the heart of God where we discover His Unparalleled Love!

A. God’s Love; Unparalleled Determination

Jesus pointed to the outer extremes of love in John 15:13,14; when He said;

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you.”

Paul questions whether most people would give up their own lives to save a even good person; Romans 5:7. “For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.” Anyone who would risk his life to save another would be considered a hero, and rightly so! We have witnessed the brave actions of the NYPD and NYFD along with the rescue workers at the Pentagon and the brave souls that diverted an airliner from its suicide mission in route to Washington DC into a field in Pennsylvania where everyone aboard perished.

B. God’s Love; Unparalleled Demonstration

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us . . .”

This passage describes God’s heart for His people without condition. Once the magnificence of the great Arc Angel turned to mischief and he plummeted from his lofty perch, God’s plan of intervention sprung into action. See Ezekiel 28:13-19. Here are a few verses descriptive of Satan and his fall.

15 “You were blameless in your ways

From the day you were created,

Until unrighteousness was found in you.

16 “. . . And you sinned

Therefore I have cast you as profane

From the mountain of God.

And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, . . .

17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;

You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.”

Against this dark backdrop of evil which enveloped man and all of creation in its curse of death, God acts in Unparalleled Love!

C. God’s Love; Unparalleled Devotion

Romans 5:8 “ . . . God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ”

This is the capstone of triumph in the whole of theology. God gave up His only begotten Son to the horror of Calvary's cross for a bunch of rag tag sinners who deserved nothing but eternal condemnation in Hell. Isaac Watts put it in beautiful language when he wrote:

           Alas and did my Savior bleed
           And did my Sov’reign die?
           Would he devote that sacred head
            For sinners such as I?

            Was it for crimes that I had done
             He groaned upon the tree?
             Amazing pity, grace unknown,
            And love beyond degree!

Two things are required of us. Two things impossible for us to do apart from His love and grace.

1. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” “This is the great and foremost commandment.

2. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

See the context of Romans 5:5 where God pours His love into us!

Romans 5:1-5; 1 “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Yes, God’s Holy Spirit fills each one with His love and His presence having been born anew by the same Holy Spirit thus enabling him to LOVE God and his Neighbor!

Can you claim such providence under the mighty hand of God?

"Neither is there salvation in any other . . .” Acts 4:12