The Magnitude of Gods Love Toward MankindWhen it comes to Gods love, it so wonderful that it is hard to define, for God is love. It is easier to tell how Gods love acts. In the following discussion of this fine quality its application to Christians will be considered, for the apostle Paul in writing on the subject, first emphasizes how essential it is for a Christian believer, then details how it acts unselfishly: Love is long- suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury, It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor 13:4-7) Gods love toward us is that of a father toward his children. ( Matt. 5:45) “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” He spares nothing that is for our good, no matter what the price is. God gave His only - begotten Son, Jesus Christ who died for our sins that we may be saved. (Rom.5:8) God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself. The special manifestation of Gods love toward mankind in general was the release by ransom from condemnation through the blood of God’s beloved Son Christ Jesus. (Eph 1:7; 2:4-7) By means of Gods love through His grace, He brings salvation to all sorts of men ( Titus 2:11) something that the prophets had spoken about. ( 1 Peter 1:10 ) Paul’s reasoning and argument, therefore, is sound: “Now if is by grace, then it is no longer works; otherwise, grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work..” ( Rom 11:6 ) As to God’s love. The greatness and expansiveness of Gods love was in giving his Son ‘for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ would not limit the application of the ransom only to those whom God chooses for the heavenly calling. (John 3:16) In fact, the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ would not be completely applied if it left off with those who become members of the Kingdom of heaven. It would fall short of accomplishing the full purpose for which God provided it, because Gods love and purposed for the Kingdom is to have earthly subjects. Jesus Christ is High Priest, not only over the under priests with Him, but also for the world of mankind who will live when his associates also rule as kings and priests with Him. (Rev 20:4-6) Another example of Gods love: Jesus is described as having “a glory as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father,” the one residing “in the bosom position with the Father.” (John 1:14; 18) It is hard to think of a closer, more confidential, or more loving and tender relationship between a father and his son than this. We can get a good understanding of Gods love as He shows His love toward us in this parable where Jesus spoke of the poor beggar name Lazarus who was carried at his death to the “bosom position of Abraham,” and John refers to Jesus as being in the “bosom position with the Father.” (Luke 16:22, 23; John 1:18) The expression “bosom position” alludes to one’s reclining in front of another person on the same couch at a meal. Through Gods love, He an His Son, both of them, with great love will joyfully anticipate the resurrection in carry out that work with great joy. Jesus show His Love with the willingness and the desire when a leper besought Him: If you just want to, you can make me clean.’ At that [Jesus] was moved with pity, and He stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him: ‘I want to. Be made clean.’ And immediately the leprosy vanished from him, and he became clean.” This touching incident demonstrating Christ’s loving-kindness for mankind was recorded by three of the Gospel writers. (Mark 1:40-42; Matt 8:2-3; Luke 5:12-13) And of Gods love and willingness to help mankind, we can call again to mind the words of faithful Job: “If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? You will call and I myself shall answer You. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning.” (Job 14:14-15) Servants with the love of God in them have looked anxiously forward to Gods love in the day when the resurrection will complete its work. In the outworking of the purposes God has set exactly the proper time for it, in which His wisdom and longsuffering will be fully vindicated. (Eccl 3:1-8) He and his Son, being both able and willing to perform the resurrection, will complete it in that set time. ( Matt 5:44) Jesus commanded: “Love your enemies.” God Himself established the principle, for God is love, and as the apostle Paul states: (Rom 5:8-10) “God recommends His own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us... For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” A wonderful instance of God and love is God’s dealing with Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-16). Loving our enemies, therefore, should be governed by the principle established by Gods love, and be exercised in obedience to His commandments, whether or not such love is accompanied by any warmth or affection. 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