Steps to Christ Chapter 1 - God's Love for Man

Source: Steps to Christ, Chapter 1: "God's Love for Man" by Ellen G. White

Main Themes:

• Ubiquitous Evidence of God's Love: The chapter emphasizes that God's love is evident everywhere, from the wonders of nature (sunshine, rain, flora, fauna) to the provisions He makes for all creatures. Psalm 145:15-16 is quoted to showcase this: "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing." Even the hardships in life, symbolized by thorns and thistles, are ultimately designed for our good and spiritual growth.
• Revelation of God's Character: The Bible serves as a primary source for understanding God's loving nature. Exodus 34:6-7 is cited to highlight His attributes: "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin."
• Misconceptions about God: Despite the abundant evidence, humanity has been misled to view God as a stern judge, focused on punishment. This distorted image is attributed to Satan's influence.
• Jesus Christ as the Manifestation of God's Love: The chapter presents Jesus' life and ministry as the ultimate demonstration of God's love. His healing acts, compassion, gentle demeanor, and willingness to sacrifice himself for humanity are all cited as proof. Jesus states, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father" (John 14:9), emphasizing the inseparable connection between his nature and God's.
• The Nature of Christ's Sacrifice: Jesus' suffering and death are not meant to appease an angry God or persuade Him to love us. Rather, they stem from God's pre-existing love for humanity. God's love is the driving force behind the sacrifice, not its outcome. The quote, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son" (John 3:16) powerfully illustrates this point.
• Transformation through Christ: Through faith in Christ's sacrifice, humans can be redeemed from sin and become "sons of God." This emphasizes the transformative power of God's love and the potential for spiritual elevation it offers.

Most Important Ideas/Facts:

• God's love is all-encompassing, evident in nature, scripture, and the life of Jesus Christ.
• Human suffering is not a sign of God's anger but a part of His plan for our growth.
• Misunderstandings about God's character stem from satanic deception.
• Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of God's love, revealing the true nature of the Father.
• God's love is the motivating factor behind Christ's sacrifice, not a consequence of it.
• Through Christ, humans can overcome the limitations of sin and achieve their true potential as children of God.

Key Quotes:

• "God is love" is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass."
• "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth..."
• "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?"
• "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son."
• "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."