He Commendeth His Love
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Abraham: I am nothing but dust and ashes | Genesis 18:27
Isaiah: I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips | Isaiah 6:5
Peter: Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man! | Luke 5:8
Paul: out of all, I was the worst of them all. | I Timothy 1:1
I think that all of us have felt like Abraham, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul. We have all wondered, Why God? When you know everything about me, why do you still love me. Grace, I don’t totally understand it either, but I can tell you, He does still love you. If His love was demonstrated toward me before I was saved, without question He loves me now that I am His son. The word commendeth is an interesting word.
Commendeth is the Greek word soonistano – soon-is-tan-o – To stand near, stand for. To declare; to constitute – approve, commend, consist, make… Jesus is God’s declaration to the world that He loves us. Do you remember when you did something cool as a child and your dad said… That’s my boy! The difference is, Jesus said it before you did anything to make him proud of you. We love when we have an adequate motive to love. He loved us without motivation. I just want to give you these three things that have helped me in my relationship with God.
1. A relationship based on performance will frustrate you and God.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
2. Looking like a Christian and acting like a Christian will not gain you Christ.
Philippians 3:1-6 yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been born into a pure-blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if there ever was one! What’s more, I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 And zealous? Yes, in fact, I harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any fault.
3. Knowing Christ is what makes you His.
Philippians 3:7-9 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
When I realize I am accepted by God through Christ. Then I will not live for His approval, but from His approval and when you know God loves and accepts you, you can do all things through Christ.
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jay 10:40 am on December 27, 2008 Permalink |
i love your blogs. so much truth.
i loved the greek by the way. you rock.
jay 10:41 am on December 27, 2008 Permalink |
a really really literal translation of sunisthano – would be “I stand with” – just a little nerdyness for ya.
Heidi Harris 4:05 pm on January 6, 2009 Permalink |
Thanks Bro. Robbie! Matt and I just had a discussion on that the other day. “I will not live for His approval but from His approval” is such a great truth that is so hard to understand. Just… He is God! I realize I struggle with that truth sometimes. This is just what Matt was encouraging me in the other night! Thanks for sharing!
Heidi Harris