God's two loves

Various authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

The Scriptures reveal that God's love is not a single, undifferentiated stream. Rather, it flows in two distinct channels: a general love that embraces all mankind; and a special saving love reserved for His chosen, redeemed, and regenerated people. To understand the difference, is to marvel more deeply at His mercy and grace.
 

Objects of God's GENERAL love: All people.

God's general love is universal in scope. Every heartbeat, every breath, every moment of health and joy, every meal set before sinner or saint alike--is a token of His benevolence. The atheist who denies Him, and the believer who adores Him--are alike sustained by His daily kindness. This love is rooted in His character as Creator, overflowing even toward those who despise Him.

Objects of God's SPECIAL love: Believers only.

Yet Scripture reveals a deeper, saving love--one that is particular, electing, and redeeming. This special love is not bestowed upon the world at large, but upon those whom He has chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, for whom Jesus shed His blood, and to whom He gives His Spirit. It is the love of the Shepherd for His sheep, the Bridegroom for His bride, the Father for His adopted children.

 

Nature of God's GENERAL love: Physical blessings.

God's general love expresses itself in physical mercies: sunshine and rain, food and shelter, beauty and order in creation. These blessings, while precious, are external only--touching the body, but leaving the heart unchanged.

Nature of God's SPECIAL love: Spiritual blessings.

God's special love pours out spiritual treasures: the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, adoption into His family, the joy of communion with Him, and an inheritance in glory. These blessings transform the soul, conforming the believer into the likeness of Jesus, and securing an everlasting relationship with God.

 

Duration of God's GENERAL love: Temporal.

The tokens of His general love last only for this life. When the sinner dies, the common mercies cease, and without Christ, there remains only the fearful expectation of judgment.

Duration of God's SPECIAL love: Eternal.

But His special love endures forever. It began in eternity past, was displayed at Calvary, is experienced in the believer's daily walk, and will be perfected in the glory of Heaven. It is unchanging, unbreakable, and unstoppable!

O soul, if you have tasted only God's general love, do not rest content. His common mercies are but shadows pointing to the greater reality of His saving grace. Flee to Jesus, and you will know a love that . . .
  death cannot end,
  sin cannot exhaust,
  and eternity cannot measure!
 

 

If you care to read them, here are some additional materials:

 

                     God's GENERAL love         God's SPECIAL love

OBJECTS:       All people                           Believers only

NATURE:        Physical blessings                Spiritual blessings

DURATION:    Temporal                             Eternal
 

God's general love consists of physical and temporal blessings to all people.

God's special love consists of spiritual and eternal blessings to His chosen, redeemed, and regenerate people.

 

God's GENERAL love to all mankind.

Matthew 5:45, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Luke 6:35, "He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

Acts 14:17, "He has shown kindness by giving you (heathen) rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

God's general love/goodness/kindness is never salvific.

 

God's SPECIAL love to His people. 

God's special/saving love to His people is particularly seen in saving them from sin and Hell, unto eternal glory!

God the Father chose us in eternity past!

God the Son died in our place as our sin-atoning substitute.

God the Holy Spirit regenerates, converts, sanctifies, and preserves all the chosen and redeemed.

God's special love/goodness/kindness is always salvific.

 

John 10:11, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

Romans 1:7, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints"

Galatians 2:20, "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself up for us."

Ephesians 5:25, "Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

Colossians 3:12, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved"

1 Thessalonians 1:4, "For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you"

2 Thessalonians 2:13, "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth."

1 John 4:10-11, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

1 John 4:19, "We love Him because He first loved us."

Jude 1, "To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ"