March 29, 2024

God’s Love to the World

adventweek2lighthascomegraphic

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world,
and men loved the darkness rather than the Light,
for their deeds were evil.
For everyone who does evil hates the Light,
and does not come to the Light
for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
But he who practices the truth comes to the Light,
so that his deeds may be manifested
as having been wrought in God.
John 3:16, 19-21

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God’s love to the world was so unique—not just any father could do it. He gave us His only Son to die for the sins of the world; truly, what manner of God is He?  Can any man give up his son just like that? (No!)  In this scripture I am seeing love that is beyond my imagination.  The heart and purpose of God is clearly revealed in this verse.  God’s love is wide enough to embrace all persons.

…Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:4

God gave His son as THE offering for sin on the Cross.  This atonement for sin proceeds from the loving heart of God. It was not something forced on Him (Romans 8:32, 1 John 4:10).  All we need to do is to believe on the Son for us to have eternal life.  And, as we believe
• we are saying indeed that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and the only Savior for lost humanity.
• we are surrendering ourselves to obedience to Christ.
• we are fully assured and trust in Christ that He is both able and willing to bring us to final salvation and to fellowship with God in heaven.

In addition, when we believe we know we are not going to perish. ‘Perish’ in verse 16 points not just to physical death but to the dreadful reality of eternal punishment (Matthew 10:28).  Eternal life is a gift bestowed on us when we are born again. Are you born again?  ‘Eternal’  (in the same verse) not only expresses perpetuity but also quality of life—a divine type of life—a life that frees us from the power of sin and Satan, and removes us from what is merely earthly things in order to begin to know God.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

Dear Lord, we thank You and we give You all the glory and honor for Who You are and for all that You are able to do in our lives.  We thank You for the word at the right time when we are able to meditate and reflect on Your greatness and goodness to Your people.  Thank You that You had loved us and looked in our hearts and compassionately allowed Your son to pay the highest price for us.  We bless You for You are still speaking to us daily.  And we thank You for the ministration of your Word always.  May we find favor in Your eyes, Lord.  May we have Your grace so that we will see You one day in Your Kingdom. May You be blessed and be glorified in all the earth; in Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.