We have seen that God’s character was called into question over a piece of forbidden fruit. The issue at stake here is whether God can be trusted. The fruit was the clear and simple reflection of this controversy. Satan drew Eve onto his side of this argument and by her action she declared that she did not trust God. To achieve this Satan disguised himself and subtly questioned God’s love, His character, and accused Him of selfishness.
How does God respond to Satan’s accusations? How does the Almighty God correct the lies Satan has spread? Revelation 15:3. How does the Eternal One prove that He is loving, good, and unselfish? How does God save the world? Here is God’s response - here is His answer!
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9.
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17
Jesus is God’s response! Jesus came to open our eyes, to turn us “from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” Acts 26:18. In order to reveal His character to us, to prove He is loving, good, and unselfish, God sent His Son.
No angel, no man, no creature, no one knows the heart of God like the Son does.
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him.” John 1:18.
“O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee.” John 17:25.
“Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son.” Matthew 11:27.
“As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father.” John 10:15.
Jesus came to shine the light of truth into our world darkened by Satan’s lies. He came to reveal that God is most lovely!
“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46.
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.
“For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6.
Satan accused God of being selfish, of withholding good from us, but what did God do for those that rebelled against Him?
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16.
Our loving Father held on to nothing, He withheld nothing good from us! Instead of being selfish as Satan accused Him of being - God sacrificed. In the gift of Jesus our merciful God gave everything. All of Heaven was included in this gift of Jesus, for “all things were made by Him, in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace!” John 1:3, Colossians 2:3, Isaiah 9:6.
The One accused of selfishness gave up His dearest companion to a world that hated Him. The longest, most intimate relationship that ever existed was sacrificed so that we could know God. John 17:3. Jesus was with the Father from the beginning and was always His delight.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1-2,14.
“The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning...Then I was by Him, as One brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight.” Proverbs 8:22-23, 30.
Jesus said “I do always those things that please Him... I and My Father are One.” John 8:29, 10:30. The Father Himself said “this is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17. The deepest relationship we can know on this earth is a small taste of what the Father and Son have, and yet God gave Him up for us!
What an amazing thought is all of this - the One who declares “heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool” has no selfishness in Him! Isaiah 66:1, 1 John 1:5. His great heart of love is so vast that when all have doubted Him, when all have listened to Satan, His response is to give! Instead of leaving us to the darkness we have chosen, He is seeking to save us! Proverbs 8:36.
“He...spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.” Romans 8:32.
“Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.
Dear Friend, God has responded to Satan’s accusations. He gave Jesus for you. He appeals to you with His self-sacrificing love. Will you choose to trust Satan, or trust the One who loves you “with an everlasting love”? Jeremiah 31:3.
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