Christ's perfect sacrifice and satisfaction was motivated by the unspeakable love of God. Christ's self-sacrifice did not win over the heart of the Father. From eternity, God's love burned for the salvation of sinners. The Father gave -He sent -His only begotten Son into the world to live and die in order to secure the redemption of lost sinners. Christ's sacrifice was not the cause for, but the result of, the love of God.

Christ's perfect sacrifice and satisfaction for sin produced the following wonderful results:

1. He removed the guilt of sin and reconciled God with His people.

2. He fully satisfied both God's justice and His love, enabling full and consistent rejoicing in all God's attributes to be possible in the salvation of sinners.

3. He secured a complete salvation for all saved sinners -delivering from eternal death (hell), securing the right to eternal life (heaven), and restoring full communion with God.

4. He produced a profound admiration and deep love in the hearts of all the saved. The unspeakable richness of God's love for such unworthy sinners, as they have learned themselves to be, melts and wins their hearts over to admiration of, and returning love to, God.

Have you personally experienced something of your great need for Jesus' sacrificing work as Priest? Has your heart been broken by God's love? If so, you will desire to love God in return - to obey and serve Him - not only from legal obligation but from loving desire. If not, you are yet desiring to live for self. Self is still the "god" of your heart. You are yet living in enmity and disobedience instead of love and obedience. Pray and plead with God that His love in and through Jesus Christ may conquer and unite your heart with Him.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

- John 3:16

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

- Romans 5:8

Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

- Hebrews 2:17

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

- II Corinthians 5:18

We loved Him, because He first loved us.

- I John 4:19

How is obedience motivated by love and desire different from obedience motivated by obligation and force?