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God's Message of Love and Redemption to the Believer

God's message to the believer is fundamentally one of love and redemption, rooted in the divine initiative to save humanity from sin and its consequences [16, 18]. This message, often referred to as the "gospel of salvation," centers on Jesus Christ as the "Saviour" who delivers from evil [6]. The core of this message is articulated in the New Testament, emphasizing God's love as the driving force behind the plan of salvation [11, 17].

The biblical narrative begins with the recognition that all humanity is in a state of sin, guilty before God, and has forfeited any claim upon divine justice [15]. Yet, God's character is described as infinitely good and merciful, leading to a plan of redemption [15]. This plan is not based on human merit but on God's gratuitous love, extended even "while we were yet sinners" and "when we were enemies" [17]. The Apostle Paul, in Romans, emphasizes that God's love for His people is infinite and immutable, forming the basis for their security in time and eternity [11].

The message of redemption is intrinsically linked to the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is presented as the one through whom God offers salvation [10]. The gospel, meaning "good news," proclaims peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all [4]. This good news calls for repentance and belief, as articulated by Jesus Himself: "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News" [3]. Faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which a sinner gains a personal interest in the work of redemption [6]. This faith brings about the "righteousness of God" to all who believe, making no distinction [2].

Salvation, in this context, is described as redemption made effectual to the individual through the power of the Holy Spirit [6]. It is a work of God's purpose and appointment, and God is willing to grant it [10]. The message of salvation was announced even after the fall of humanity and was predicted for both Israel and the Gentiles [10]. The gospel reveals this salvation, and Christ is identified as its Captain and Author [10].

A key aspect of God's message to the believer is the concept of assurance. This assurance is a "fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt" [5]. It is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love [8]. The resurrection of Jesus serves as God's pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [5]. This assurance is not merely an intellectual assent but an "entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture" and a "joyful steadfastness" in one's grasp of truth [5]. Believers are privileged to have assurance of their election, redemption, adoption, salvation, and eternal life [8]. This assurance also extends to the "unalienable love of God" and union with God and Christ [8].

The love of God is a central theme in this message. It is commanded in scripture, with the instruction to love God with all one's heart, mind, and soul, recognizing it as the first great commandment [7]. This love is produced by the Holy Spirit and is a response to God's prior love for humanity [7]. The love of God for His people is so profound that it cannot fail of its object [17]. Charles Hodge emphasizes that this love is gratuitous, not based on the attractiveness of its objects, but given "while we were yet sinners" [17]. This divine love is compared to parental love, which does not cease even when children are disobedient [17].

The message also includes the concept of hope. This hope is placed in God, in Christ, in God's promises, and in His mercy [9]. It is a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, the Word, the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, and faith [9]. This hope is described as good, lively, sure, steadfast, gladdening, and blessed [9]. It is a "better hope brought in by Christ" [9].

The practical outworking of this message in the believer's life is seen in love for fellow believers. Having love for brothers and sisters in Christ is presented as tangible evidence of rebirth in Christ and a promise of eternal life [14]. The Apostle Peter encourages fervent love among believers, stating that "love shall cover the multitude of sins" [19]. Similarly, the Apostle John notes that "He that loveth his brother abideth in the right" and that "whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" [19]. This love is a fulfillment of the "royal law" to love one's neighbor as oneself [19].

The message of God's love and redemption is not merely a set of abstract doctrines but a comprehensive plan for humanity's reconciliation with God. It is a message that offers grace to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ [1]. The entire scheme of redemption is designed to display the glory of God's unmerited love and boundless benevolence to the intelligent universe [18]. This message is offered to all men on the condition of faith in Christ, as Christ commanded His disciples to preach the gospel to every creature [13]. The covenant of grace, which offers salvation, is formed with all who believe [13]. The assurance of this salvation is not primarily found in introspection or self-examination, but in the objective promises of God and the infinite love of God for His people [12, 17].

Sources

  1. Ephesians “Ephesians 6:24 (YLT) — The grace with all those loving our Lord Jesus Christ--undecayingly! Amen.”
  2. Romans “even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, -- Romans 3:22”
  3. Mark “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.” -- Mark 1:15”
  4. Acts “Acts 10:36 (LITV) — The Word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, this One is Lord of all.”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Saviour — One who saves from any form or degree of evil. In its highest sense the word indicates the relation sustained by our Lord to his redeemed ones, he is their Saviour. The great message of the gospel is about salvation and the Saviour. It is the "gospel of salvation." Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ secures to the sinner a personal interest in the work of redemption. Salvation is redemption made effectual to the individual by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
  11. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 107: .) Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. ( Romans viii. 35-39 .) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? ( Romans vii. 32 .) The whole argument of the Apostle in Romans v. 1-1l , and especially throughout the eighth chapter , is founded upon this infinite and immutable love of God to his people. From this he argues their absolute security for time and eternity. Because He thus loved them He gave his Son for the”
  12. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 16: plan of salvation. Many sincere believers are too introspective. They look too exclusively within, so that their hope is graduated by the degree of evidence of regeneration which they find in their own experience. This, except in rare cases, can never lead to the assurance of hope. We may examine our hearts with all the microscopic care prescribed by President Edwards in his work on “The Religious Affections,” and never be satisfied that we have eliminated every ground of misgiving and doubt. The grounds of assurance are not so much withi”
  13. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 73: § 5 . The Covenant of Grace. In virtue of what the Son of God covenanted to perform, and what in the fulness of time He actually accomplished, agreeably to 363 the stipulations of the compact with thu Father, two things follow. First, salvation is offered to all men on the condition of faith in Christ. Our Lord commanded his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. The gospel, however, is the offer of salvation upon the conditions of the covenant of grace. In this sense, the covenant of grace is formed w”
  14. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 3:14: 3:14 Having love for our brothers and sisters who are believers is tangible evidence that we have experienced rebirth in Christ and will have eternal life rather than death (i.e., condemnation; see Rom 6:23; Jas 5:20; Rev 21:8).”
  15. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 137: The simple representation of Scripture on this subject, confirmed by the facts of consciousness and experience is, that all men are sinners; they are all guilty before God; they have all forfeited every claim upon his justice. His relation to them is that of a father to his disobedient children; or, of a sovereign to wickedly rebellious subjects. It is not necessary that all should receive the punishment which they have justly incurred. In the sight of an infinitely good and merciful God, it is necessary that some of the rebellious race ”
  16. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:4: 2:4-10 By God’s mercy, kindness, and love, those who are joined to Jesus Christ are saved from the terrible consequences of their sin and enjoy the benefits of Christ’s resurrection.”
  17. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 16: unto the end? A love so great as the love of God to his people cannot fail of its object. This love is also gratuitous. It is not founded on the attractiveness of its objects. He loved us “while we were yet sinners;” “when we were enemies.” “Much more, then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” God’s love in this aspect is compared to parental love. A mother do”
  18. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 66: dispensations of his providence. The consistent opponent of this doctrine must, therefore, reject the truths even of natural religion. As Augustinianism agrees with the facts of providence it of course agrees with the facts of Scripture. The Bible declares that the salvation of sinful men is a matter of grace; and that the great design of the whole scheme of redemption is to display the glory of that divine attribute, — to exhibit to the admiration, and for the edification of the intelligent universe, God’s unmerited love and boundless be”
  19. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 35.--COMMENDATIONS OF LOVE.: The Apostle Peter, likewise, says, "And, above all things, have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins."[19] The Apostle James also says, "If ye 459 fulfil the royal law, according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."[1] So also the Apostle John says, "He that loveth his brother abideth in the right;"[2] again, in another passage, "Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother; for this is the message which ”
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