John 3:16-17 (GNT): God's Love

John 3:16-17 (GNT): God's Love

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.”

These verses are the most well-known words in all of Scripture.  But what is Jesus saying to Nicodemus, a Pharisee too worried about what his peers think?

1. God loves us unconditionally.  For we are made in His image and likeness, but after the fall in Eden, we need to be redeemed.  Our moment of redemption is at hand in the only Son.
2. We must truly turn our hearts over to Christ in faith, not a faith of physicality and miracles, but a faith of trust and total surrender to God.
3. Eternal life is found in Christ, not the world.
4. Christ did not come into the world to judge us.  Jesus took on human flesh to save us.

Let us commit ourselves, in faith, to the love and mercy Jesus our Redeemer and celebrate the gift of God’s grace that is the genesis of our faith.  As we go into the world this week, let us serve others knowing we bear the love and light of Christ in our hearts.

May you all be blessed and encouraged in the love and peace of Christ.  

Stan