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Would you be willing to give your soul (be lost eternally) if it meant that your friends would be saved?  Only twice in the Scriptures do we have examples of men that said that they would be willing to be accursed from God in behalf of their brethren.
The First Example Is Moses
In Exodus 32:32, Moses is speaking to God and says, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; And if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”  Moses expresses a desire for God to be merciful to His people.  Moses had compassion for the people of Israel even though they had committed a great sin–idolatry–against God.  Why intercede for them?  Why agonize over their sinful condition?  Why seek God’s mercy in their behalf instead of God’s judgment?  Moses was merciful.  Moses was in fact reflecting the heart of God.  God reveals Himself to Moses as a merciful God.  In Exodus 34:6-7, the Bible says, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the four generation.”  With this revelation, God imparts a new understanding of His heart to His people.  The lovingkindness of God is a golden thread that runs throughout the Old Testament and culminates in the sacrifice of Jesus for the sin of the world (John 1:29; John 3:16).  While God will punish the evildoer, He first extends mercy that leads to transformation of life.  If the people will repent of their sins, God will forgive them.  God plagued the people (Ex. 32:35) and three thousand died (Ex. 32:28).  God would not blot Moses out of His book of life in order to preserve the people.  He declares, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Ex. 32:33). Moses’ intercession for the people was successful.  However, even Moses’ soul was not sufficient to redeem Israel.
The Second Example Is Paul
In Romans 9:3, Paul declares, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”  Paul expresses his love for his people.  His love for them produces an anguish in his heart for their salvation.  If Paul was accursed from Christ, would that save his people?  No.  Every person is individually accountable to God for his/her sin.  Paul’s love was not more potent than Christ’s.  Paul invokes a wish or desire.  He speaks a hyperbole to make a point.  His love for his people is real.  If one could sacrifice himself for the saving of his people Paul seems willing to do so, but even Paul knows that his sacrifice would not secure their salvation.  The exaggeration Paul made points to an even greater love already demonstrated.
The Greatest Example Is Jesus
In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  The greatest love known to man is the sacrifice of self in behalf of others.  Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  Jesus died for those who were His enemies as well as His friends.  “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).  Divine love transcends human love and so attains to the greatest love that the world has ever known!  Christ’s love is superlative love! It is unsurpassable love!  It is incomprehensible love!  “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19).  Moses’ offer and Paul’s desire pale in significance to the act of selflessness and sacrifice that Jesus demonstrated on the cross.  Moses’ offer to God was refused by God because it was not sufficient.  Paul’s offer expresses his ardent desire for the salvation of his people, but it, too, would not secure salvation.  Jesus’ sacrificial act is the only means sufficient to save men and women from the wrath of God.  The reason for this is that He is the Son of God and His blood is the only means of redemption.  Whenever we proclaim “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” we declare the love of God to all people. If you are waiting for a greater love than what Jesus has already shown, I’m afraid you will be disappointed and lost eternally.  Awake, thou that sleepest and open your eyes to the greatest love of all.

In 1944, during World War II, Ruth Caye Jones wrote the song, In Times Like These.  The words are appropriate for the times we are experiencing now.
In times like these, we need a Savior
In times like these, we need an anchor
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock
This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the one
This Rock is Jesus, The only One
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
We are now living in one of the most significant events of our lifetime.  A pandemic has gripped the globe causing fear, sickness, and death.  An economic crisis has gripped the United States.  Many have lost their jobs and economic stability.  Everyone has lost something!  In the worst of times or in the best of times, what manner of persons ought ye to be?
Our anchor is Jesus Christ the Lord.  We must have the mind of Christ.  “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  Jesus shows us what manner of person we ought to be:  humble, obedient unto God, and a faithful servant of the Lord.  We must manifest the Spirit of Jesus Christ.  “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that they Spirit of God swellings you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Rom. 8:9-10).  This spiritual transformation takes place within an individual whenever he/she surrenders to the Will of God and obeys the gospel.  At that time, new life is imparted by the Holy Spirit and one becomes a new creature created in Christ Jesus unto good works (John 3:3-5; Eph. 2:1-10).  The new man in Christ is dedicated to righteousness and holiness.  We must follow the teachings of Christ.  The wise man is contrasted to the foolish man by Jesus in Matt. 7:24-27.  The wise man builds his life upon the rock.  The wise man hears the sayings of Jesus and does them.  The foolish man hears the sayings of Jesus, but does not obey them.  This lack of obedience reveals unbelief in the heart of the unrepentant.  The wise man is able to weather the storms of life and to stand.  The foolish man’s life collapses during the storms of life.  Be very sure.  Be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
What type of persons ought ye to be?  
One of the principles that Jesus taught should guide us as we navigate the present crisis.  “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12).  This principle is often referred to as the Golden Rule.  We paraphrase the Golden Rule:  “Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you.”  This principle is acknowledged as being right by almost all people.  The Golden Rule is a positive statement requiring us to act in behalf of others as we would want them to treat us.  It requires us to take the initiative.  The rule expresses itself in words and works that are conducive to the law of love.  Love for others is always powerful and positive.  The rule is closely tied to the first and second commandments referenced by Jesus in Matt. 22:36-39 and Mark 12:29-31.  The first and greatest commandment is to love God with all of our being.  The second is to love our neighbor as ourself.  Love for our neighbor is commanded by the Lord and exhibits His mind and His Spirit. Love seeks the highest good of another.  Love is undefeatable, benevolent, goodwill. Love is a principle that manifests itself in positive acts that enhance the wellbeing of others.  Love always gives of itself.  It is selfless.  Selfishness violates the law of love for others.  Jesus was selfless.  He sacrificed His own life for the salvation of all of mankind.  Whenever we are under duress, it is difficult to think of others.  We focus on our discomforts, losses, and needs. Love focuses on others (seeketh not her own-I Cor. 13:5).  Love makes sacrifices that show the value of investing ourselves in the lives of others.
In times like these, we need to unleash the power of love in our marriages, our families, our communities and our nation.
The Principle Fulfills the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus’s teaching was understood and reiterated by the apostle Paul.  Paul states, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.  For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there by any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10).  Love is a barrier to all manner of sinful conduct that may be directed toward one’s neighbor.  Love does not act in injustice in order to create justice.  Love is not retaliatory.  The ability to control one’s passions under duress is a sign of discipline and self-control.  These virtues stem from the new life created in Christ Jesus and identify us as belonging to God.  They are the fruit of the Spirit who works in us (Gal. 5:22-23).
In Times Like These
We need a savior.
We need an anchor.
We need to follow the teachings of Jesus.
We need to love God with all of our being and our neighbor as ourself!
Be very sure.  Be very sure. Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In I Cor. 12:15, the apostle Paul makes one of the saddest statements in the New Testament.  He says, “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”  The failure of some of the Corinthian brethren to love Paul back is heartbreaking. Yet, this verse is also one of the most powerful statements in the New Testament concerning heroic love.
Who is a Hero?
A hero is a person noted for courageous acts or notable aspects of character.  This is illustrated in the statement, “He became a hero when he saved the drowning child.”  A hero is a person that we look up to and admire because of his or her qualities of character that shine in acts of goodness or kindness.
Heroic Love in Paul
Paul had enemies (II Cor. 12:11).  They challenged his authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ.  Paul defends his apostleship to these individuals.  Some among the Corinthians were upset because Paul did not take support from them while he accepted it from the Philippian brethren (Philippians 4:15).  Paul was acting like a loving father in this respect.  He states, “…for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.”  Even though Paul acted in love, they did not reciprocate love to him.
Features of Heroic Love
Heroic love acts freely to the unloveable.  Heroic love acts from the heart without regard to how that love is received.  It acts, rather than merely reacting.  Jesus taught:  “Love your enemies…” (Matt. 5:44).  He also taught, “For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye?  Do not even the publicans the same.”  Our love is a reflection of the righteousness of God.  Our love must be like Paul’s in that we continually love those who are difficult to love.
Heroic love seeks the highest good of others.  Love is not selfish.  Love is selfless.  Paul continually sought what was spiritually in the best interest of his converts.  Everything Paul did, he did for their edification (II Cor. 12:19).  Paul corrected them for their own spiritual benefit (II Cor. 12:20-21).  Jesus said, “Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you; pray for them that despitefully use you” (Matt. 5:44).  We over come evil with good! (Rom. 12:21).
Heroic love is sacrificial.  Paul said, “I will gladly spend and be spent for you.”  Paul was willing to use his resources for their benefit.  He was also willing to sacrifice himself in their behalf–his energies and even his life.  Paul had put his own life on the line many times in his ministry.  Paul’s love for God, Christ, truth, and his converts shows his willingness to advance the cause of Christ through significant personal sacrifice.  Love shines forth in such sacrifices.  Paul fits the definition of a hero.
Heroic Love in Christ
Jesus died for the ungodly.  “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).  Jesus willingly sacrificed himself in our behalf, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste of death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Heb. 2:9-10).  Jesus provides a perfect example for all to imitate, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (I Pet. 2:21-23).  Jesus fits the definition of a hero.
Both Paul and Christ demonstrate the qualities of character that define a hero.  If we imitate them, we, too, can be heroes of faith and love.  Challenge yourself to reach your full potential in both faith and love!

Does God love everyone the same?  This question deserves some serious thought.  Is there any difference in God’s love for the world (John 3:16) and His love for His people (John 14:21-24)?  In John 3:16 and Rom. 5:8-9, the Scriptures teach God’s love for sinners.  But, God’s love for sinners does not save sinners if they do not love God and believe on His Son, Jesus Christ.
God’s Love For the World                                                                                                                                           God’s love for the world is manifested in that He:  (1) Sends the sunshine and the rain on the just and the unjust (Matt. 5:44-49).  (2) Sent Jesus into the world to die for the redemption of mankind (John 3:16).  Both reveal the general and unconditional aspect of God’s love.  God’s love is God seeking the highest good of each person by providing the essential things necessary to sustain physical life (creation) and to save man from the consequences of sin (redemption).  Just because God loves people in the world and has demonstrated His love in sending His Son to die in their behalf to obtain the means of atonement, does not mean that people love Him back.  Many do not love God.  Many do not believe in God nor heed His commandments.  In John 3:16, unbelievers will perish (eternal destruction, Matt. 25:46) even though God loved them, they will face His wrath.
God’s Love for His Children
God’s special love for His children is conditional.  Consider the words of Jesus in John 14:21-23, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.”
God loves those that love His Son, “he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father.”
We love Jesus by keeping His commandments (become His disciples or in other words a New Testament Christian).
Obedience to Jesus wins God’s love.
God fellowships those that love Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Notice, the world is not in fellowship with God because of unbelief.  Unbelief and disobedience are connected.  Lovelessness and disobedience are connected.  God does not fellowship unbelievers or the disobedient.
God has a special love, a covenantal love, for His people.  This is God’s lovingkindness toward those who love and obey His Son.
God is Father spiritually only to those in covenant relationship with Him.  Gal. 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2.  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27).
God’s promises and spiritual blessings belong to His people (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:3).  All spiritual blessings are in Christ and so, outside of Christ there are no spiritual blessings and no hope of eternal life (Rom. 6:23; Mark 16:16).
Summary
Those who love God win God’s special love (covenantal love).  Those who love Jesus Christ win God’s special love.  Those who are obedient to Christ win God’s special love.  God loves His people with a special love that He does not love the world with.  Consequently, God loves the world in a different way and in a different sense than He loves His children.  God is in intimate fellowship with His people whereas He is not in fellowship with the wicked of this world.

Recently, the South Florida Avenue Church of Christ had on one side of its marquee, “‘Homo-Phobia’ Is A Misnomer;” and on the other side, “God Hates Sin But is Not ‘Sin-Phobic.'”(The Harvester, June, 2018, vol. 38, no. 11).  Some of the responses to the sign were: “Shame on you for encouraging hate.  This is not Christian.” “This is hateful and Jesus would be ashamed of you.” “I was under the impression that God doesn’t hate anything.”  These statements betray a lack of understanding of how the word “hate” is used in the Bible and especially how it is used of God.  The fact that God is love does not negate the fact that there are some things that God hates.  The question is: in what sense does God hate?
Hate Defined
There are three senses in which the word “hate” is used in the New Testament.  (see W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, vol. II, p 198).  First, the word hate is used of “malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others, whether toward the innocent or by mutual animosity (Matt. 10:22; 24:10; Luke 6:22,27; 19:14).  Second, the word hate is used of a right feeling of aversion from what is evil (Rom. 7:15, Heb. 1;9; Jude 23, Rev. 2:6).  Third, the word hate is used of a relative preference for one thing over another by way of expressing either aversion from or disregard for the claims of one person or things relative to those of another (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13; John 3:20).
Hate and God
God never hates in the sense of #1 “malicious and unjustifiable feelings toward others.  This hate is a sin.  God does hate in the sense of #2, He has a strong aversion toward evil.  And, He hates in the sense of #3, when He manifests a relative preference for one person or thing over another.  It is simply false to say that God does not hate anything (see Proverbs 6:16-19).  In addition, God hates:  (1) arrogance, Amos 6:8; (2) evil hearts, Zech. 8:17; (3) false worship/idolatry, Deut. 16:22; Isa. 1:14; 61:8; Jer. 44:4, Amos 5:21; (4) divorcing legitimate spouses, Mal. 2:16; and (5) wickedness, Psa. 45:7.  God showed a preference for Jacob over Esau, Rom. 9:13 where the KJV states that God hated Esau.  Jesus hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (because it was false), Rev. 2:6, 15 and as the Messiah has a strong aversion toward iniquity/false doctrine, Heb. 1:9.  The Messiah hates lawlessness.
Summary
There are some things that God hates.  God hates iniquity, wickedness, false worship/idolatry, and false doctrine, but, that does not make God sin-phobic.  If we hate (have a strong aversion for evil) that does not make us sin-phobic either!  Love rejoices not in iniquity (I Cor. 13:6).  Here, love and hate (strong aversion for evil) are correspondent.  Hatred in the sense of malicious thoughts and actions toward others is forbidden in God’s Word (Gal. 5:20). This type of hatred is a work of the flesh.  Love is the opposite of this type of attitude and conduct.

I love you to the moon and back is a quote from the children’s book, Guess How Much I Love You. It is meant to express that one loves another person more than they can imagine.  The story goes like this:  “I love you to the moon, said little Nutbrown Hare.  “Oh, that’s far, said Big Nutbrown Hare. “That’s very, very, far.” Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves. He leaned over and kissed him goodnight. Then, he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, “I love you to the moon and back.”
In Discover magazine, p. 76, The 100 top science stories for 2017, number 77 was, “To the Moon and Back: An Astronaut’s Loving Tribute Finally Acknowledged.” The story, written by Eric Betz, begins with Jim Lovell’s flight in 1968 as navigator of Apollo 8–the first mission around the moon. Lovell carefully documented his path above the Sea of Tranquility, where NASA would land Apollo 11. He spotted a small, pyramid-shaped mountain near the landing site and name it Mount Marilyn for his wife.  Lovell knew he wouldn’t forget the landmark.  Mount Marilyn proved vital on Apollo 11, when Neil Armstrong relied on it for navigation during a harrowing landing. The mountain is among dozens of features named by astronauts, but not on official moon maps.  For nearly half a century, astronomy’s official nomenclature group–The International Astronomical Union (IAU), wouldn’t make any of the name’s official.  Scientists used an asterisk if they cited them.  But, in July (2017), after multiple applications by Lovell and Arizona State University astronomer Mark Robinson, the IAU reversed course for three of the landmarks, including Mount Marilyn, without explanation. Lovell, who kept the campaign a secret from Marilyn, enjoyed revealing it at last.  “She was quite amazed,” Lovell says. “In exploration there’s romanticism, too.”  What a remarkable gesture of love by a husband for his wife!
In Eph. 5:25-33, the apostle Paul compares the love a husband should have for his wife to two things.  The first comparison is to the love that Christ has for the church.  “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25).  The key words in this text are “even as.” Christ loved the church sacrificially, selflessly, intensely, and purposefully.  A husband’s love for his wife is challenged to imitate Christ’s love.  The second comparison is given in Eph. 5:28-29, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.”  The word nourish indicates the care bestowed upon another.  The word cherish denotes to foster with tender care or cherish with tender love.  The two comparisons teach a valuable lesson about the love a husband should have for his wife.  As Christ loved the church (I love you all the way to the cross) and as a husband loves himself (I love you to the depths of my own being).  These phrases, along with the idea of loving someone to the moon and back, simply declare the intensity, depth, height, and greatness of this love.

Love (agape) is a choice.  Without choice, there is no love.  Love thrives in freedom. Love is a principle.  It may be defined as: “undefeatable, benevolent, goodwill.”  Love involves seeking the highest good of another.  Love is often commanded in God’s word and touches every relationship including our relationship with God.  Love is a principle that we will ourselves to follow.  It requires human volition to pursue.

The Example of Jesus
In John 10:17-18, Jesus said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father.”  Jesus was given a commandment from the Father that involved the sacrifice of His life for the redemption of mankind.  Jesus freely gave His life for us.  He was not coerced or forced to sacrifice His life.  He freely gave it as an act of love.  “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, the we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (I Pet. 2:24).  Jesus loved the Father. “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” (John 14:31).  Jesus loved the Father and He loved us.  In a free act of love, He sacrificed His life to provider the atonement for sin and redeem unto Himself a special people purified by His blood.

Love is a Command
Consider the following commands from God involving love.  First and foremost, there is the command to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind (Matt. 22:36-39).  Mark adds “strength” (Mark 12:29-31).  In these same passages, we are commanded to love our neighbor.  Paul instructs husbands to love their wives (Eph. 5:25) as Christ loved the church as gave himself or it.  In Titus 2:4, Paul instructs aged women to teach younger women to love their husbands and their children.  Jesus commands us to love our enemies in Matt. 5:44.  Finally, love for our brothers and sisters in Christ is commanded (John 15:12; I John 3:14; 4:21).  When we are given a command from God, human volition is involved in obeying it.  When we love freely, there is no resentment in the action required.  When we choose to love God, we empower our lives for Christian living.  We act, rather than react, based upon a sacred principle.

Love and Freewill
Without choice, love is not possible.  Love is a free act of the human will in response to God’s commands.  The very existence of love, proves free will.  Consequently, determinism is false.  Evolutionists are determinists.  Sam Harris wrote, “Free will is an illusion.  Our wills are simply not of our own making.  Thoughts and intentions emerge from background causes of which we are unaware and over which we exert no conscious control” (Sam Harris, Freewill, 2012, p. 5–quoted in Paradoxolgy, p. 230).  If this is true, then there is no love.  Secondly, predestination is false.  Those who teach predestination also teach that we do not have free will.  But, the price for believing such a doctrine is high.  If there is no choice, there is no love.

Love is Essential
Love is essential to becoming and remaining a Christian.  Loving God with all of our being requires a choice.  We must choose whom we will serve. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16).  Obedience to God requires love for God (John 14:15).  Joy follows the decision to follow God.  When Jesus went to the cross, He embraced the joy that was set before Him (Heb. 12:2).  His joy was in manifesting His love for the Father and Us.  His joy was not in the painful death He suffered.  But, He had joy in His sufferings because He loved much.  Love for God will produce the same joy in us no matter what the cost might be for following Him.