1 John 3:1 (NKJV) Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
“Behold! What manner of love!!!” “Behold, what manner of love?” “Behold what manner of love…”
You can read that statement many ways. What an extraordinary love God shows when he calls you and me – rebellious, flawed, sinful and inconsistent you and me – His own child! We become strangers to the unbelieving world when we actually live like one of God’s children.
“Behold what manner of love” is not just a proclamation but a question as well – a question for us to ponder, answer, and discuss. It’s a fantastic question to center a Bible study or small group around. It should solicit multiple answers from every person, many of which you will never have thought of.
Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (emphasis mine)
1John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Think It Over: have you pondered “what manner of love” is a love given to those who deserve exactly the opposite? Have you ever meditated about “what manner of love” is bestowed on us when we did not love God, were justly condemned for eternity, and violated God’s holy standard? What manner of love indeed!