COME, FOR HE LOVES SINNERS.

 

AUGUST 9

 
COME, FOR JESUS LOVES SINNERS.
 
Hereby perceive we the love of God, 

  because he laid down his life for us:
 and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

                                             1 John 3:16
 
He cannot love their sins, but he loves their persons.
 
If he had not loved sinners . . .
  he would not have come into the world to save them,
  he would not have fulfilled the law for them,
  he would not have died for them,
  he would not plead for them in Heaven,
  he would not send his gospel to them,
  he would not so lovingly invite them.
 
Think, reader, think of being loved by Jesus.
  what an honour!
  what a privilege!
  what a powerful inducement to incline you to go to him!
 
How could he manifest his love in a more striking, 

 stupendous, or glorious manner than he has done?
 
"Greater love hath no man than this,
  that a man lay down his life for his friends."
 
But Jesus laid down his life for his foes, for us,
   who were enemies to him;
    for many who are still reluctant to come to him.
 
The heart of Jesus is full of love to sinners.
 
The dealings of Jesus are all in love to sinners.
 
There is love in every warning,
  love in every exhortation,
    love in every visitation.
 
Is it not pleasant to go to one who loves us,
  who has manifested his love to us in the
   most striking and most costly manner?
 
It is; and has not Jesus done so?
 
What could he do, that he has not done?
 
What could he say, that he has not said?
 
What could he promise, that he has not promised already?
 
He has done everything to excite our affections,
  win our confidence, and bring us to his feet.
 
Come then, come to Jesus;
   for he loves you
   — loves you with an everlasting love
    — loves you with an unparalleled love
    — loves you so as to desire to make you holy, happy,
        and honorable as himself.
 
Come to Jesus;
   for he waits to shed his love abroad in your heart, and
     by that love constrain you to love him in return.
 
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.

James Smith 1855