"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us . . . "
It is a big deal to know and believe that God loves us. This is especial-
ly true, because in our natural state we hated God. But now, if we are in Jesus, we are loved by Him; and we love Him (cf. v. 10a). Now, be-
cause we recognize that we are loved by God, and we actually believe the incredible fact of this truth--we cannot do enough for Christ. God's love now "compels" us, (2 Cor. 5:14), to a lively obedience.
If we do not know and believe that God loves us, then we will inevit-
ably show ourselves to be spiritually unfaithful--since we will seek our affection from idols. This is why it is imperative that we get a solid interest in Jesus' gospel--so that we are the genuine objects of His love.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Such as think totally to ruin the church, must do it in a time when it is neither day nor night, for the Lord keeps [the church] by His providence night and day." --Thomas Wat-
son, in, "A Body of Divinity"]
