John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
How many of us reading that just skimmed over it? This is probably the most memorized verse in the Bible. In fact, I can remember having contests with my sister when I was little to see who could say it the fastest. Unfortunately, I fear this is what many of us are still doing today. We just quickly read over the verse and then go on with our lives.
Let’s take a moment though… think about it. I mean REALLY think about it. The PERFECT God loved us enough to DIE for us. He physically died to take our place. We are sinners. There is nothing that we could do about that fact. On our own we fall short. Period. So Jesus took our place. This should stop us in our tracks. We should live each day differently because of this Truth. Do we?
“ForGodsolovedtheworldthatHegavehisoneandonlysonthatwhoeverbelievesinHimwillnotperishbuthaveeternallife” When I was little I ran it all together to say it as fast as I could. I didn’t really hear what I was saying, much less grasp the depth of Truth and Joy found there. I fear as Christians this is how we live out Jesus to those around us. We run it all together without allowing the Truth and Saving Grace of Christ to really be understood. I’m pointing my finger back at me too. We have to stop and really get this! The world around us, the WORLD God loved so much that he sent his Son, that world is dying! Does this break our hearts? Does this break mine?
I went to a conference recently where there were many Christian leaders where someone said something similar to this. Everyone began clapping and saying, “AMEN”. Is that all we do though? We nod our heads and agree and then go back to gossiping about that girl in class or griping about how long our food took to be delivered.
I in no way want to make light of this or say that I’m doing all I need to yet. BUT we have to get on it… there must be a change. We have to stop rushing through it and missing out on what it means… “ForGodsolovedtheworldthatHegavehisoneandonlysonthatwhoeverbelievesinHimwillnotperishbuthaveeternallife” There is life changing power in the truth of John 3:16… something so vast and amazing it should take an entire lifetime of praise and awe to grasp… So what are we going to do? Pause a moment, Thank God for the amazing gift of His grace and mercy, Let it radically change our lives, then get out there and Let this Truth change the lives of those around us!
John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
