How to see people through God's eyes Part 1/3.

1.The difference between human love and God’s love.

: 1 John 4:7-8

Key Text: 1 John 4:7–11

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love… Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

This three part sermon will examine:

1.      The difference between human love and God’s love.

2.      How God values human beings according to Scripture and insights from C. S. Lewis’ The Four Loves.

3.      How believers can begin to see people through God’s eyes and love them as Christ does.

A. Human Love Often Begins With Self

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Much human love is sincere but fallen. Because mankind is affected by sin, even our love is often mixed with selfish motives.

Human love can be:

·         Conditional

·         Possessive

·         Easily wounded

·         Dependent on feelings

·         Based on personal benefit

·         Changeable

·         Limited by offence or disappointment

People often love others because:

·         They are lovable

·         They make them feel good

·         They provide companionship

·         They meet emotional needs

·         They share common interests

Human love frequently asks:

“What can I receive?”

Even good natural affection can become distorted through pride, insecurity, jealousy, fear, or selfish ambition.

The Bible says:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” — Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

Without God’s transforming grace, human love remains limited.

B. God’s Love Flows From His Nature

1 John 4:8 (KJV) “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

The Bible does not merely say that God possesses love.

It says:

“God is love.” — 1 John 4:8 (KJV)

Love is part of His very nature.

God’s love is:

·         Holy

·         Self-giving

·         Sacrificial

·         Faithful

·         Unchanging

·         Patient

·         Merciful

·         Redemptive

·         Unconditional in its offer

Human love says:

“I love you because you are valuable to me.”

God’s love says:

“I love you, therefore you become valuable.”

Romans 5:8 (KJV) declares:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (KJV)

God loved us when we were:

·         Rebels

·         Enemies

·         Sinners

·         Spiritually dead

·         Unworthy

The cross of Jesus Christ proves that divine love is not based upon human merit.

C. Human Love Seeks Its Own; God’s Love Sacrifices Itself

John 15:13 (KJV) “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The clearest picture of God’s love is Calvary.

Jesus did not merely feel compassion — He gave Himself.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

At the cross:

·         Love suffered

·         Love forgave

·         Love endured rejection

·         Love carried shame

·         Love bore sin

·         Love interceded for enemies

Jesus prayed:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34 (KJV)

This is entirely different from natural human love.

Human love often weakens when mistreated. God’s love reaches toward the undeserving.

D. Human Love Is Limited; God’s Love Is Transforming

Human love can comfort people. God’s love can transform people.

For example;

Peter denied Christ three times, yet Jesus restored him.

Saul persecuted Christians, yet God transformed him into Paul the apostle.

The woman caught in adultery found mercy instead of condemnation.

The demoniac of Gadara was restored to sanity, dignity, and purpose.

God’s love does not merely tolerate sinners. It redeems them.

Amen

Personal Prayer

In Part 2 we discover how God values each human life both from the scriptures and from the writings of C.S. Lewis.