How Deep the Father's Love for Us

While Jerry Vines and I would disagree on some important issues, there is one important truth that he brought out in his chapel message on John 3:16 that has been a cause of much meditation and praise, especially over the past few months.

He brought out that God's love for sinners is unfathomable, and we cannot plumb the depths of it. The distinction between God's general, benevolent love and God's particular, redeeming love notwithstanding, I don't think any person holding to the Doctrines of Grace would disagree with Vines' statement (I can't really fathom God's benevolent love either...). Who can fathom God's love for sinners? That Christ should leave the glories of heaven and die for the guilty and vile, actually procuring the salvation of God's elect? And He did it all such that nothing in our hands we bring, only to His cross we cling! And He didn't have to do it! Nothing in us could ever commend ourselves to Him! What love! What amazing love!

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

©1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Stuart Townend

(For a Reformed Baptist exposition of John 3:16, listen to this one by James Williamson).