“上帝就是爱。住在爱里面的，就住在上帝里面，上帝也住在他里面”（约壹4:16）。{CTr 7.1}
“上帝就是爱”（约壹4：16）。祂的性质和祂的律法就是爱。过去如此，现在如此，将来也永必如此。“那至高至上，永远长存”（赛57：15）的主，“昨日今日一直到永远是一样的” （哈3：6）。“在祂并没有改变，也没有转动的影儿”（雅1：17）。{CTr 7.2}
上帝创造之能各方面的表现，都是祂无穷之爱的显示。上帝的主权使一切受造之物蒙受丰富的恩惠。……善恶之间的斗争史，从它在天上开始直到叛逆势力的最后倾覆，和罪恶的完全消灭，也是上帝不变之爱的表现。{CTr 7.3}
宇宙的主宰在祂慈惠的工作上不是独自进行的。祂有一位助手，一位能明了祂旨意，并与祂同享为众生造福之喜乐的同工。“太初有道，道与上帝同在，道就是上帝。这道太初与上帝同在”（约1:1，2）。这道就是上帝的独生子基督。祂与永生的父“原为一”──性质相同，品格相同，意念相同──惟有基督能参与上帝的一切谋略和旨意。……{CTr 7.4}
天父藉着祂的儿子创造了天上一切的生灵。 “万有都是靠祂造的，无论是……有位的，主治的，执政的，掌权的；一概都是借着祂造的，又是为祂造的。”……上帝所膏的圣子，乃是“上帝本体的真像，”又是“上帝荣耀所发的光辉，”“常用祂权能的命今托住万有，”并在万有之上，执掌至尊的王权。……{CTr 7.5}
爱的律法既是上帝政权的基础，一切有理性之生灵的幸福，就在乎他们完全符合这律法的公义原则。上帝要一切受造之物以爱心事奉祂，就是因感戴祂的品德而事奉祂。祂不喜悦出乎勉强的顺从；所以祂赋予他们自由的意志，使他们可以出于自愿地事奉祂。（PP 33，34）{CTr 7.6 }
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.?1 John 4:16.?{CTr 7.1}[1]
God is love. “His nature, His law, is love.” It ever has been; it ever will be. “The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,” whose “ways are everlasting,” changeth not. With Him “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”?Isaiah 57:15;?Habakkuk 3:6;?James 1:17.?{CTr 7.2}[2]
Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love. The sovereignty of God involves fullness of blessing to all created beings.... The history of the great conflict between good and evil, from the time it first began in heaven to the final overthrow of rebellion and the total eradication of sin, is also a demonstration of God’s unchanging love.?{CTr 7.3}[3]
The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a coworker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ... Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God....?{CTr 7.4}[4]
The Father wrought by His Son in the creation of all heavenly beings. “By him were all things created ... whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” ... The Son, the anointed of God, the “express image of his person,” “the brightness of his glory,” “upholding all things by the word of his power,” holds supremacy over them all....?{CTr 7.5}[5]
The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 33, 34.?{CTr 7.6}[6]
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