Christ’s love was free, not elicited by any goodness in us (2:1-5); it was eternal, being one with the choice of sinners to save which the Father made “before the creation of the world” (1:4); it was unreserved, for it led him down to the depths of humiliation and, indeed, of hell itself on Calvary; and it was sovereign, for it has achieved its object—the final glory of the redeemed, their perfect holiness and happiness in the fruition of his love (5:26-27), is now guaranteed and assured (1:14; 2:7-10; 4:11-16; 4:30).
