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| Love the gift that keeps on giving |
by Barbara Latta
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16 NKJV).
John 3:16 is
probably the most familiar verse in the Bible. It is printed on cards, cups,
plaques, banners, hats, and shirts. This scripture shows us God’s heart and is
the gift that keeps on giving.
The danger of
familiarity is that the words can lose their meaning.
Nicodemus, a
member of the Sanhedrin, but one who sought the truth, had a difficult time
understanding what Jesus told him. He viewed the words from a physical, human
perspective. But God’s words are always spirit and truth.
What does John 3:16 really mean?
God so loved….
In this is
love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).
We can’t love
God apart from Him loving us first because there is no love in us without Him.
The world…
God’s gift is
available to all who will receive it. …Not wishing for any to perish but for all to
come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9b). Unfortunately, not everyone will receive
eternal life, but it’s not because God didn’t give it.
That He gave….
He gave His Son
from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). He knew His creation would
sin and He made a way to redeem the lost. God loved His created ones made in
His image so much he was willing to give Himself to pay for the wrong that we
do.
He gave by putting His Word into the form of flesh.
The word became flesh and dwelt among
God was walking
and talking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden until they sinned. They
threw away their intimacy with their Creator.
God was walking
and talking with mankind in the form of Jesus, but most did not recognize him. They
threw away the God that was before them.
He came to His own, and those who were
His own did not receive Him
(John 1:11).
Love came down
from heaven, but He didn’t have to.
But made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. And being
found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point
of death, even the death of the cross
(Philippians 2:7-8).
This gift from
the Father was presented to the fallen earth wrapped in swaddling clothes. In
insignificance and with no earthly fanfare, He was born in the normal human
way. He became one of us, so He could identify with our hurts, fears and
temptations (Hebrews 2:18).
Jesus came to
earth through a bloody human birth and left the earth through a bloody human
sacrifice.
His offer will
stand until the day of our departure from the earth. His love is the gift that
keeps on giving.
If you are
reading this and have never accepted the love and forgiveness of Christ, what
better time than now to receive the gift that keeps on giving?
What does God so loved the world really
mean? It means love came down…so we could be lifted up (Psalm 145:14).
Christmas brings us the cross.
From a Titus 2 woman to you, Merry Christmas
and may God bless us every one!
Join the
conversation and share your thoughts about what the love of God means to you.
TWEETABLES
What is the gift that keeps on giving? (click to tweet)
What does John3:16 really mean? (click to tweet)
Such an inspiring post Ms. Barbara. You've truly given us "The Reason for the Season" here today ma'am. When I think of all the cheap imitations of love that exist in this world today, your words brought to mind how they are but "filthy rags" when compared to the gift of God's love in our lives.
ReplyDeleteOur words and actions are filthy rags compared to God's eternal love. Thanks for sharing, J.D. Blessings!
Delete"Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving." That's so true, Barbara, and although the gift required Jesus to give His life for us, accepting this gift of love costs us nothing. The scary part, as you point out, is that not everyone will accept the gift of salvation. Such a wonderful message to remind us of the "reason for the season." Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, it is hard to understand how anyone can throw away God's gift. The only explanation is the blindness of their hearts. They do not see what He has given and done for them. That's why Jesus told us to be laborers for the harvest. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings!
Delete"His love is the gift that keeps on giving." Nothing truer has ever been spoken. What an example He set for us. It's both humbling and inspiring. Thanks for this beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Barbara!
His love is both humbling and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Candyce. Blessings!
Delete