John 3:16-21 (NIVUK)
16 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
There is a reason why John 3:16 is so well-known, in such a few words, John captures magnificently the simple and yet profoundly mind-boggling heart of the Gospel message – God’s heart. God loves this world. He loves his creation, every part of it, including every person, including you, your neighbours, your family (and your enemies!) regardless of whether or not they love him in return. And that world encompassing love is why he sent his Son, as verse 17 expands, he does not act out of anger, or hatred, judgement or condemnation, but to save us because he loves us and is for us.
Thank you Father that you believe in us! Help us to believe more deeply in you.
Leave a Reply