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Keeping our thoughts and hearts on this great event, we need a constant reminder of its eternal value.For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Anne Graham Lotz expressed it beautifully, “John 3:16 is the North Star of the Bible. If you align your life with it, you can find the way home.” In this season of remembering the greatest event in human history more than 2,000 years ago, let’s glean some important truths in experiencing God’s love today. When God declared His love for us, it was unconditional because “…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Here's an important: God saw our need for a Saviour and made it happen by sending Jesus in the flesh. John 3:16 declared, “
God’s love was sacrificial because Christ became the Lamb of God for our sins. 1 John 1:9-10 states, "In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins” (Amplified Version).
The proof of God’s love became a reality when His only Son came to save us. Titus 3: 4-6 states,
But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
God’s love became especially accessible because of people believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. When people expressed their faith in Jesus, eternal life was guaranteed. John 20:30-31 states,
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Why do we need God’s love through His Son? It is simply to experience eternal life with God in heaven, not hell. Remember that our earthly life is short compared to what eternity offers. Romans 6:23 stated, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Here’s an important fact to remember: If God didn’t send Jesus Christ to die for our sins; our destiny in the afterlife is eternal separation from God. If God didn’t love us so, our destination is eternal anguish in Hell. I’m aware that many shunned this truth. But unfortunately, whether we believe it or not, it is a real place.
Let’s secure our place in God’s eternal home in Heaven by keeping these wonderful truths in mind:
1. Jesus was crucified that we might receive God’s love for us.
2. Jesus died that we might live with hope amidst suffering and troubles.
3. Jesus gave His life that we might know our value on earth and in eternity.
Here’s another insight about John 3:16:
He loves. He gives. We believe. We live.
It really is that simple. God loves this world, more than we’ll ever know.
He gave his one and only Son so that we could live forever with him.
Apart from him we die. With him we live.
Choose life. Choose Jesus! ~Scott Bayles
In His last hours on the Cross of Calvary, the only thought holding Him until the end was His great love for humanity. He completed His task with a view of their redemption from sin’s power, Satan’s rule, and death’s grip. And fueling his sacrifice on the Cross is His abundant love and provision of eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. Finally, keep this question in mind: “What held Him to the Cross?”
Not the nails, but His wondrous love for me,
Kept my Lord on the cross of Calvary,
Oh, what power could hold Him there—
All my sin and shame to bear?
Not the nails, but His wondrous love for me. ~Sunday School Times
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