John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
This much-loved verse of Scripture outlines the glorious gospel of grace clearly and simply. It tells that Christ died a sacrificial death on the Cross to pay the price for our sins and break its power in our lives. It tells that Jesus was sent as an expression of the indescribable love of God for us.
It was God Who purposed that the only way man's death sentence could be reversed was if a perfect, sinless Man was willing to pay the price for sin. But no man was good enough for all are sinners. And so out of love for us, God gave His only begotten Son as the sacrifice for sin and to take the punishment that we deserved.
Salvation is not spelled “d-o,” but “d-o-n-e.” Many people, however, think their own good works are the pathway to eternal life. Consequently, they do this or do that, or they don’t do this or don’t do that, all in order to earn salvation. But our salvation is done. It is already purchased for us with the blood of Christ on the cross. Our part is to believe, to transfer our trust from ourselves and our own efforts to His finished work on the cross of Calvary.
To believe does not mean to simply give intellectual assent to the claims of Christ. It means to transfer our trust to Him alone for our salvation.
What a consequence. What a promise. Those without Christ are perishing, but those in Christ have the eternal promise of “everlasting life.” This comes not from our own human efforts, morals, or good deeds, but the promise is to those who realize that God’s love reaches down to us, was made possible through the payment of Christ, and is received by grace through faith alone; believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God loves us. That is the triumphant message of the Bible. That is the greatest message we will ever receive. Thankfully, however, this message is not just words. God wanted us to know His love for us, so He demonstrated that love at great personal cost.
God loves us. We know that because He gave His Son for us. God loves us. He doesn't want the power of "perish" to claim us, so He gave us the power of His love.
God loves us. He sacrificed so we could have life. God loves us. Don't ever doubt it. Don't let the evil one rob you of this life-giving truth.
God loves you and wants to give you life.
The eternal Son of God set aside His glory and was born into the fallen race of man, to die on Calvary for your sins and mine. If you were to travel to the furthest reaches of the universe, or go back to the beginning of time, there you'll find love for "God is love." And the most precious thing in the universe is to know the reality of His love, by faith!!!
Father, thank You for this day and for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Father, thank You that His blood has paid the full penalty for our sins and that the power of sin in our lives has been broken through Him. Lord, open the storehouse of Your abundant blessings and let them flow over my friend and family today. Thank You that Your sacrifice reveals Your immense love for mankind. Lord, we just want to give You thanks and praise for this free gift of salvation that is open to whosoever will come. Lord, use my friend to be the blessing someone needs today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
Comments