(3) The Love of Christ Comes from a Transformed Heart Full of Love
In John 15:9-13 (NKJV) Jesus states: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Human love cannot love like this! Only a sin-filled heart transformed by the power of God and full of love can be willing to die for other people. God’s great servant, David, allowed Satan to convince him to number the children of Israel in 1 Chronicles 21. God was not pleased with David because He was the one who raised up the children of Israel and their mighty army, not David. The glory goes to God, not man. God sent a plague that killed 70,000 men. The death angel was about to kill more people and God stopped him. In v. 17 we see David’s willingness to give his life for his people. “And David said to God, ‘Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O Lord my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against your people that they should be plagued.’” The living God of heaven and earth taught us about real love when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for sins He could not and did not commit (John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”). When your heart is filled to overflowing with the love of Christ, you can truly experience the love of Christ which passes knowledge. In our human, finite minds, we cannot comprehend and fathom the great love of Christ which passes knowledge. The more the Christian knows about Christ, the more amazed he is at Christ’s love for him. The love of Christ is immeasurable. The love of Christ is supremely good. The love of Christ is excellent. The love of Christ is matchless. The love of Christ is unequalled. The love of Christ is beyond understanding. It is utterly impossible to grasp and experience the love of Christ anywhere close to its full measure, but we should pray for God to help us learn more and more of His love – and we should make the request often, every day. What happens when you know the love of Christ which passes knowledge? You are filled with all the fullness of God. God and His presence in all of its fullness can fill and flood your life. He can rule and reign and have His perfect way in your life. All you have to do is ask. Dr. John MacArthur states: “You can be so strong spiritually, so compelled by divine love, that you are totally dominated by the Lord with nothing left of yourself. Human comprehension of the fullness of God is impossible, because even the most spiritual and wise believer cannot completely grasp the full extent of God’s attributes and characteristics – His power, majesty, wisdom, love, mercy, patience, kindness, and everything He is and does. Believers can experience the greatness of God in their lives as a result of total devotion to Him.” The Love of Christ Comes from a Transformed Heart Full of Love. The Love of Christ. (1) The Love of Christ Comes from Christ. (2) The Love of Christ Comes from a Transformed Heart. (3) The Love of Christ Comes from a Transformed Heart Full of Love. Can the living God actually do this in the believer’s life? YES! And so much more! Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Do you possess the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge?
Jeff Harvel 