It’s foundational to the Christian message . . . it’s at the heart of salvation 101 . . . basic stuff of the faith . . . a key building block of the redemption message. Our kids learn to sing about it at the youngest of ages, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” It’s the first verse many of us memorized, “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” (John 3:16). It’s even the first of the four spiritual laws that so many use, “God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.” It’s so fundamental that I think sometimes it loses its awe factor . . . but John, this morning, resets the awe-o-meter on the love of God . . .

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1John 3:1)

Behold! See . . . perceive . . . look at it . . . look intently at it . . . take it in . . . mull it over in your mind . . . turn it over in your heart . . . consider it . . . seek to grasp it. Oh, how easy it is to take the love of God for granted. How like me to make common that which has become familiar. But there is nothing common about the love of God.

Behold what manner of love! This isn’t just any love we’re talking about. Grasp the character and quality of this love . . . the source . . . the impact . . . the myriad of implications and nuances associated with such love. It is unique . . . it is unlike any other love we might witness or experience. It is love for those unable to love . . . love extended to those without strength (Rom. 5:6). It is love for the unlovely . . . love shown while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:7). It is love for the angry . . . love extended to us while we were enemies (Rom. 5:10). It is love without measure . . . loved poured out to overflowing into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Rom. 5:5). Love that justifies . . . love that sanctifies . . . love that will one day glorify. Oh, behold what manner of love.

And this “out of this world” love has been bestowed on us by the Father. Freely given by the God of Creation. Offered to “whosoever will” by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jehovah Himself being our Provider. The Father having made way for such magnificent love through the giving of His Son.

And as John considers this one of a kind sort of love . . . as he tries to pick out one of many awe-inspiring attributes of this love . . the Spirit moves him to highlight this one . . . “that we should be called the children of God!” Love that rescues us from hell . . . is love indeed. Love that declares us righteous because of faith placed in the work of Another sent to redeem us is love without precedent. Love that writes our name in a book of life and secures our passage to places He’s been preparing for us for 2,000 years is love beyond comprehension. But love that declares us to be children of God . . . that manifests itself in the Spirit of adoption being inserted into our lives . . . and our lives inserted into His forever family . . . given all the privileges associated with being born (or born again) into a family . . . joint heirs with Christ . . . now how do you get your arms around that sort of love? What kind of love is that?

Behold what manner of love!

Nothing commonplace about this sort of love. It might be basic stuff . . . it might be salvation 101 . . . but oh, it is not to be taken for granted . . . not the stuff of “been there . . . done that . . . got the t-shirt!” No, it is to be beheld and looked intently upon. It is to be a reality that moves us to awe-inspired thanksgiving . . . that drops us to our face in humble worship . . . that raises our hearts in joyful praise.

What kind of love is that? Ah, God’s love . . . the best love . . . I love that love . . to Him be the glory! Amen?