OUTLINE:

The endless forgiveness we've received, as God's enemies at one time, should be our motivation, and can make loving our enemies easy. That's where the power to be merciful comes from: God's Love for us. 1Jn 4:10,19

"While We Were Enemies"
God forgave you and showed you mercy... you, humble servant of God, freely pass it on. This is good in God's eyes. Ro 5:8,10

Ro 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jn 15:9
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in (stay in) My love.

Every Aspect
To love like Jesus is to possess a love that permeates every aspect of life. It isn’t just a passing emotional response - it is much, much bigger - it is on the same plane with eternal life, for God is both love (1Jn 4:8) and eternal life (1Jn 5:11-12).

God's Love STAYS
God is calling us, His believers, His adopted children who have been rescued from the orphanage of sin and brought into His palace of forgiveness... to STAY in His love, THAT love, at all times. And that includes freely passing it on in mercy.

Selfish Lovers
If a person lacks love, they lack the constitution to stick around when times get tough. Selfish lovers are easy to spot - they are the ones who turn their backs on you when you’re down and out. They lack mercy because their love is always about them, not others.

Every Aspect
To love like Jesus is to possess a love that permeates every aspect of life. It isn’t just a passing emotional response - it is much, much bigger - it is on the same plane with eternal life, for God is both love (1Jn 4:8) and eternal life (1Jn 5:11-12).

If a person is void of God’s love, they are void of eternal life, and therefore void of God. 1Jn 4 & 5

General vs. Special Revelation
General: God’s witness of Himself through creation (Ps 19:1-6)
Special: God reveals Himself directly (e.g., Holy Scripture, Christ’s incarnation, dreams/visions, acts) (Ps 19:7-14)

Dt 34:10
Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

“exact”
from charakter - means a tool for engraving, an exact reproduction or impression that also reflects inner character; where we get the English word, character

When Jesus spoke, or acted, or did anything, it was perfectly reflective of His Father in Heaven. He who has seen Me has seen the Father - Jn 14:9b

Special Revelation
It’s good to hang on every word and activity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. After all, He is the perfect example of God’s Special Revelation to mankind.