Thankful His Love Grants Access vv.1-2

A temple going Jewish person would have understood this access well.  Only the high priest could enter the holy place.  We have access to God, because of His love!  Hebrews 10:19-23 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

Thankful His Love is Greater Than Adversity vv. 3-4

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Because of His love, Christ is worth it!

Thankful His Love Gives Assurance v. 5

You are not going to endure suffering for Jesus unless you are assured that His great love is worth it!  Verse 5 tells us how this is possible.  God’s love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit!

Romans 8:16 also confirms this, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” You are going to feel it!  Maybe not everyday, because of John 10:10 and Satan’s schemes, but you’ll feel the warmth of His love, especially when everything else is stripped away.   

Thankful His Love Goes Beyond Our Affections vv.6-8

We did not start out loving God, but He first loved us.

I love the Christian Standard Version’s translation of verse 8. “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  He proves it!  His Son, Christ died for you!  No greater love than that!  We did nothing to merit His great love.  His love goes beyond our pitiful affections!

Thankful His Love Guarantees the Absence of Wrath v.9

No Hell for those who place eternal faith in Christ!  When we would sing Noel during Christmas time, as a kid, I used to think we were singing no hell, meaning that Christ was the great rescuer from Hell. 

Thankful His Love is the Goal of Our Ambition vv.10-11

1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”