The proof of God’s love is seen in His gift.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16
“Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.” Ephesians 5:25
“He loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
The gift of Christ is always the proof of God’s love whether to the world, the church, or to me. It is love’s prerogative to give, and give, and give.
“Much more.”
The work of Christ did much more than just restore what Adam lost. The truth is illustrated by the trespass offering. The trespass offering not only paid back what he had taken from another but we had to pay an extra 20%.
So then the victim in the case actually received “much more” than had been taken from him. The work of Christ at Calvary has not only brought infinite glory to God but great gain to the believing sinner.
Man could have lived in the Garden of Eden indefinitely and remained the sons of Adam. Because of Calvary, we sinners have become the sons of God and enjoy a relationship to God much closer than that enjoyed by Adam.
Some of the blessings saved sinners have through the work of Christ.
1. We are justified by His blood—justified by faith.
2. We are saved from wrath through Him
3. We are reconciled to God by the death of His Son.
But there is “much more” to it than this. Christ no only gave His life for us, He also gave His life to us.
“Being reconciled, we shall be saved through His life.” V.10
God’s love reached us when we were sinners. How “much more” now when we are vitally linked with His Son.
Our union with Him guarantees a continuing salvation and a final arrival in glory.
Christ giving His life for us saves us from the penalty of sin. Christ giving His life to us saves us from the power of sin. And will one day save us from the presence of sin.
Justified by faith—we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Older Son = Scribes and Pharisees
The older son came in from the field and heard the sounds of joy. He asked a servant what was going on. He told him that his brother had returned home and his father was delirious with joy.
The prodigal’s brother was furious and stood aloof and would not celebrate with his father. Despite the father’s entreaties to join him in celebrating the lost son’s return, he would not. This was the Pharisees’ attitude to the sinner. They resented God showing mercy to outrageous sinners. They figured that they had kept the commandments and served Him faithfully and had not been rewarded for this.
The real truth of the matter was that they were religious hypocrites and guilty sinners. They were proud, self-righteous and far away from God.
They were lost and they would not admit it. They were headed for a lost eternity.