Redeeming Love Shall Be My Theme
There is an old hymn with the lyric “redeeming love has been my theme” that has caught my attention as of late.
One definition for the word “theme” is “an idea that recurs in or pervades a work”. When hearing the word “theme”, perhaps one may think of a book or presentation with a single “theme”. The pages of the book may vary in content between each page but each page is tied to an overwhelming theme (i.e. the font, color, or idea pervades through the entire book). As Christians, we have the privilege of our lives having the Redeeming Love of God and our Lord Jesus Christ as our theme.
1 John 4:7
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Galatians 4:4-6
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
God sending His son was a demonstration of God’s love and when His son was sent man was redeemed. When God sent His son, which was motivated by love, man was redeemed from under the law.
The love of God displayed in the redemption of Jesus Christ changed our life’s trajectory dramatically and looms large in Biblical Christianity.
The love of God resulting in Him sending His send so overwhelmed the circumstances man was facing. Man went from servants to sons, bondage to heirs, enemies to loved.
This Redeeming Love has dramatically changed the trajectory of mankind, my life, and your life.
Galatians 3:10-11
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Each and every Christian has put on the new man and in this new man Christ is all in all. In this new man, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian or Scythian, bond or free. Instead, Christ is all and in all!
For the Christian, the redeeming love evidenced in God sending His son to redeem mankind and in turn making us sons has resulted in Christ being all and in all. This redeeming love is so substantial that regardless of physical, social, and _______ differences, Christ is all in all - that is our reality!
The work of Christ and the love of God has so overwhelmed man’s need that we have gone from servants to sons, bondage to heirs, enemies to being loved, having lack to having Christ being all in all.
The redeeming love evidenced in God sending His son for man has dramatically changed the trajectory of mankind.
Considering the Apostle Paul provides a great example of this;
1 Timothy 1:12-16
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul, writing by revelation, identified himself as the chief sinner. However, in spite of being the chief sinner, according to verse 13, Paul obtained mercy and the grace of our lord was exceeding abundant in Christ Jesus.
The question can be asked, what was great Paul’s sin or Christ’s love? Even for the chief sinner, there was a greater reality which Paul experienced - Mercy and grace! As the chief sinner, Paul’s theme could have been sin but instead mercy and grace overwhelmed.
Having considered the lows, we ought also to consider the highs of the Apostle Paul’s life.
Philippians 3.4; 7-10; 13-14
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul had tremendous reason to have confidence in Himself and in His accomplishments and yet he counted them all but dung that he might win Christ and to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.
In spite of Paul’s highs and lows, there were greater factors and themes in His life. The greatness of Paul’s sin were not greater than God’s mercy and grace. The greatness of Paul’s achievements were not greater than knowing Christ.
He was the chief sinner and yet that was not the primary theme of His life. He was one of considerable achievement and yet the redeeming love accomplished in our Lord Jesus Christ surpassed to such a degree that he convinced the confidence in the flesh as dung!
Christ’s love is greater than Christian’s sin. Christian’s accomplishments are greater than my achievements. Christ is all in all!
The theme of his life was not the measure of was the measure of His achievements but the reality of Christ’s accomplishments.
2 Corinthians 1:7-11
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Although clearly faced with overwhelming circumstances (we might say they were “on the brink”) they trusted in God Who raises the dead. God has delivered, does deliver, and will deliver.
Pressure and circumstances could have become the all consuming reality, the theme, of their lives. However, they remembered God Who raises the dead!
Colossians 3:1-3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
The redeeming love evidenced in God sending His son for man has dramatically changed the trajectory of mankind and be our theme! In everything we do, whether word or deed, we can do all in the name of Christ Jesus.
The love of God evidenced in Him giving His son to redeem man so that we could become sons and heirs can be our theme.
Galatians 2:21
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.
Writing by revelation, Paul chose to live by believing in the son of God, “who loved me” and “gave himself for me”. The redeeming love was his theme.
Without a doubt, if anyone had reason not to live their life by faith in the son of God it was the Apostle Paul.
Paul’s theme could have been his sins, faults, and past but he lived by the son of God.
Paul’s achievements, his confidence in his flesh could have become his theme - but he chose rather to win Christ.
Paul’s great pressures and trying circumstances could have become his theme but he remembered he could trust in the God Who raises the dead and God did indeed deliver!
The Scriptures speak of Paul being one whom we can follow after. If another could have had reason to have a theme for life life, it would have been Paul. Like him, we can remember that he son of God loves me and gave himself for me and we can live this life by faith in the son of God.
God so loved He gave His Son to redeem people who were servants and made us sons and heirs. This work was so overwhelmingly great that it enabled Christ to be all in all Christians - filled with all spiritual blessings.
We can follow the pattern of the Apostle Paul where there was no greater reality than what was wrought in Christ - the
.
One definition for the word “theme” is “an idea that recurs in or pervades a work”. When hearing the word “theme”, perhaps one may think of a book or presentation with a single “theme”. The pages of the book may vary in content between each page but each page is tied to an overwhelming theme (i.e. the font, color, or idea pervades through the entire book). As Christians, we have the privilege of our lives having the Redeeming Love of God and our Lord Jesus Christ as our theme.
1 John 4:7
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Galatians 4:4-6
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
God sending His son was a demonstration of God’s love and when His son was sent man was redeemed. When God sent His son, which was motivated by love, man was redeemed from under the law.
The love of God displayed in the redemption of Jesus Christ changed our life’s trajectory dramatically and looms large in Biblical Christianity.
The love of God resulting in Him sending His send so overwhelmed the circumstances man was facing. Man went from servants to sons, bondage to heirs, enemies to loved.
This Redeeming Love has dramatically changed the trajectory of mankind, my life, and your life.
Galatians 3:10-11
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Each and every Christian has put on the new man and in this new man Christ is all in all. In this new man, there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision, barbarian or Scythian, bond or free. Instead, Christ is all and in all!
For the Christian, the redeeming love evidenced in God sending His son to redeem mankind and in turn making us sons has resulted in Christ being all and in all. This redeeming love is so substantial that regardless of physical, social, and _______ differences, Christ is all in all - that is our reality!
The work of Christ and the love of God has so overwhelmed man’s need that we have gone from servants to sons, bondage to heirs, enemies to being loved, having lack to having Christ being all in all.
The redeeming love evidenced in God sending His son for man has dramatically changed the trajectory of mankind.
Considering the Apostle Paul provides a great example of this;
1 Timothy 1:12-16
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul, writing by revelation, identified himself as the chief sinner. However, in spite of being the chief sinner, according to verse 13, Paul obtained mercy and the grace of our lord was exceeding abundant in Christ Jesus.
The question can be asked, what was great Paul’s sin or Christ’s love? Even for the chief sinner, there was a greater reality which Paul experienced - Mercy and grace! As the chief sinner, Paul’s theme could have been sin but instead mercy and grace overwhelmed.
Having considered the lows, we ought also to consider the highs of the Apostle Paul’s life.
Philippians 3.4; 7-10; 13-14
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul had tremendous reason to have confidence in Himself and in His accomplishments and yet he counted them all but dung that he might win Christ and to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.
In spite of Paul’s highs and lows, there were greater factors and themes in His life. The greatness of Paul’s sin were not greater than God’s mercy and grace. The greatness of Paul’s achievements were not greater than knowing Christ.
He was the chief sinner and yet that was not the primary theme of His life. He was one of considerable achievement and yet the redeeming love accomplished in our Lord Jesus Christ surpassed to such a degree that he convinced the confidence in the flesh as dung!
Christ’s love is greater than Christian’s sin. Christian’s accomplishments are greater than my achievements. Christ is all in all!
The theme of his life was not the measure of was the measure of His achievements but the reality of Christ’s accomplishments.
2 Corinthians 1:7-11
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Although clearly faced with overwhelming circumstances (we might say they were “on the brink”) they trusted in God Who raises the dead. God has delivered, does deliver, and will deliver.
Pressure and circumstances could have become the all consuming reality, the theme, of their lives. However, they remembered God Who raises the dead!
Colossians 3:1-3
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
The redeeming love evidenced in God sending His son for man has dramatically changed the trajectory of mankind and be our theme! In everything we do, whether word or deed, we can do all in the name of Christ Jesus.
The love of God evidenced in Him giving His son to redeem man so that we could become sons and heirs can be our theme.
Galatians 2:21
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.
Writing by revelation, Paul chose to live by believing in the son of God, “who loved me” and “gave himself for me”. The redeeming love was his theme.
Without a doubt, if anyone had reason not to live their life by faith in the son of God it was the Apostle Paul.
Paul’s theme could have been his sins, faults, and past but he lived by the son of God.
Paul’s achievements, his confidence in his flesh could have become his theme - but he chose rather to win Christ.
Paul’s great pressures and trying circumstances could have become his theme but he remembered he could trust in the God Who raises the dead and God did indeed deliver!
The Scriptures speak of Paul being one whom we can follow after. If another could have had reason to have a theme for life life, it would have been Paul. Like him, we can remember that he son of God loves me and gave himself for me and we can live this life by faith in the son of God.
God so loved He gave His Son to redeem people who were servants and made us sons and heirs. This work was so overwhelmingly great that it enabled Christ to be all in all Christians - filled with all spiritual blessings.
We can follow the pattern of the Apostle Paul where there was no greater reality than what was wrought in Christ - the
.