“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 3:16-17 NIV
Let this not only represent the most commonly quoted Bible phrase, but let it stand for the ultimate sacrifice of self: the love of another. Can we truly understand the depth of this verse? It was spoken by our Lord and Savior to Nicodemus, a Pharisee who followed Jesus, as he helped him understand what it is to be “born again.”
Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13 NIV
Could it be that God not only gave us this command, but also set for us the example? He often does.
God loved us so much he was willing to lay down his own life for us in the form of Jesus Christ, our Lord. He was God in the flesh, and he gave up his own life. As the father, he allowed the sacrifice of his only son. Because he loved us, he allowed his son to be spit upon, beaten, tortured, and nailed to a tree. If this was not enough of an expression of love, he brought his wrath down upon him.
“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer.” Isaiah 53:10a NIV
To be loved is our greatest human desire. To love and to be loved would satisfy most for a lifetime. God sees this and sets the example and the bar. He not only says it, he lives it out.
Can we love this much? While many of us would lay down our lives for our own children, can we love others as the Lord loves us? That is what he’s asks of all of us who love him.
When we tell others that “God loves them” — leave them with this knowledge. It sounds almost like a cliché when said sometimes. Our enemy, Satan, loves to see the eye rolls of unbelievers (potential believers) , when they here these words. With a little knowledge of the word, and much passion, those eye rolls will turn to open hearts.
When we share exactly what God did to show his love, and what he continues to do – others will listen to these words and take them to heart.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-81 NIV
God is Love! 1 John 4:8b NIV
It is all about love….
Barnabas
Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas
The Bible says, “that while we were yet still sinners God died for us”.. those two words “still sinners” gets me every time. He didn’t wait for me to clean my act up and come to Him. He didn’t wait for me to cast off things that had no place in my life and then come to Him. Nope, He knew I couldn’t do anything on my own to get myself where He called me to be. Rather, He said, “come to me all he who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Amazing love on our Heavenly Father’s behalf – I will lay my life down for you even while you are in your sinful state. I will redeem you with my life, I will pay the required sin penalty For you – all for you because I love you and want you in a relationship with me, here and now and for eternity. Wondrous love.
You are absolutely right, Matt! “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”