Verse: 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.
Devotion
Christian’s first sermon on the fruit of the Spirit this past Sunday was on love. So he suggested that I write on John 3:16. But I find that scriptures like John 3:16 are really hard to write about because they are so well known to us that we often read right over them. However, there is a good reason that this one passage is so often quoted. It is foundational for our faith. God so loved the world. Five words filled with meaning and passion. He cares deeply for each of us. He doesn’t want us to be lost in sin while we are on earth or, because of sin, be separated from him forever. He wants to have relationship with us for eternity! Let that sink in. The all-powerful God and creator of all things wants you and me to be with him now and forever.
That is so important to God that he gave his one and only Son. Who is most important to you? Would you give that person up to help others? I don’t think I could do that. And yet God’s love is so strong that he gave Jesus over to a horrible death to pay for all our sins. This transference of the consequences of our sins to Jesus was the only way that we can be made clean in God’s sight and thus be in his presence.
So, all we have to do is believe in him. We have to have faith that Jesus came to earth, lived a life of no sin, was crucified, died, and rose from the dead. If we do believe, then we shall not perish but have eternal life. This is the good news that Jesus proclaimed. This is the promise that God gives everyone because of his sacrificial love for us. This is the overwhelming love that can motivate us to love our spouse, kids, friends, co-workers, and even strangers. This is the love that will always point to Jesus and lead them to believe in him too.
Prayer
Thank you for your amazing love for us that would do anything to break us free from the chains that tie us down. Help us to grow in our faith in you and to love others in a way that brings them to you. Lead us this week to those that need your love.
Author: Brad Dunn
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