“For God so loved the World!”
Coming to you today from LA International Airport as we start our around the world in two weeks Crusade for Jesus!
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 Amplified Version (I turned the volume up a little so you could hear what God was saying.)
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY’S VERSE…
Have you noticed the Bible doesn’t just say, “for God so loved just the Christians”? Nor does it say for God so loved the Jews, or catholics, religious people. Read it closely, it says “for God so loved the world!” That’s everyone out there in this world, yes even those the Bible refers to as gentiles or heathens. Even those who claim to be atheists and don’t believe there is a God, God loves even them anyway. Those who are not Christian – yet! It also doesn’t just say, “God loves you”? Now don’t let me confuse you, it does say God loves us many times, but each time it does, it shows us His love as well. What a gift from God! How many of you could give (sacrifice) your only son because you loved someone? Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac because he loved God so much that when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac he was willing. However, Abraham knew by faith that God would have to raise him up, because God had promised him he would be the father of many nations and Isaac was his only true son. God loved us so much that He not only sent His only son to die for us, but He knew before hand the terrible, hideous death He would suffer. Notice that it doesn’t say “God so loved the Christians”, it Says the World, That includes a world full of sinners, adulterers, immoral people, homosexuals, and even satanists and witches, pagans, and the horde of other just plain degenerate people, people that don’t love or even care about Him or maybe don’t know about Him (yet). That doesn’t change God’s Love for them! It doesn’t mean He condones or approves of what they are or are doing – only that He loves them. But, God so greatly loved the world! (Everyone in the world, no matter how bad or evil they currently are). He demonstrated His love through His Son’s sacrifice on the Cross. Have you received that unconditional love yet?
MY PRAYER…
Loving Father and almighty God, thank You for loving me even when I was yet a sinner. Thank You for both saying it and showing it. Thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to die for me, to take my place on the cross. To bear the punishment I was due, in His body for me! Thank You Father, that You made a way for me where there was no way. That You have, through Jesus, raised up many sons and daughters. Please know, Father, that I now love You, too! Accept my words and my actions today as a testimony of my love. Search into my heart and see the love I have for You. Help me Father to be able to share that love with others. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen
