Today’s Reading: John 3:15-21
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
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Child of God, see the Father’s love for you in each phrase in this verse.
“For God so loved the world…” The Father’s covenant love is for everyone in the world. All people everywhere are objects of this love. How is this love known?
“That he gave his only Son…” The Father’s love is not mere flabby, fluffy feelings. It’s a specific action. Real love is a verb. The Father sent Jesus, his only beloved Son, to earth as a man. He put on human flesh and went to the cross to bear the penalty for your sin upon his body— something he didn’t deserve. When you accept his gift of eternal life, you receive the Father’s glorious righteousness—something you don’t deserve. All this was done for you because of the Father’s great love for you.
“That whoever believes in him…” This grand statement is for anyone who will humbly believe in Jesus and receive his gift of eternal life. No one is excluded from this offer.
“Should not perish…” This is the “bad news” of the gospel. You can never fully appreciate the good news of Jesus’ gift of eternal life until you understand the bad news of the inevitability of eternal separation from the Father because of your sin. The Father is pure and holy. No sin dwells in him. Any sinful person trying to enter his presence must be rejected. As a healthy body rejects unhealthy germs, so God rejects sin from his presence. It’s what his holy nature must do. People are doomed to perish without his forgiveness.
“But have eternal life…” The Father in heaven desires no one to perish and be rejected from his presence at death. That’s why Jesus came to earth and put on human flesh. He came to seek and save that which was lost. He came to rescue the perishing and give them the free gift of eternal life.
When you clearly know what you are saved from, and what you are saved for, you will never doubt Jesus’ eternal love. You know he will be with you daily until you come home to be with him forever.
Does the “whoever” in this verse describe you? Do you believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive you of your sins? Have you accepted his free gift of eternal life?
If so, you can face today with confidence no matter what may come your way. Jesus will be with you as you face it. You have eternal life, and this life is found in Jesus.
When you believed in Jesus, you came into fellowship with the Son and the Father. And you now enjoy the eternal life Jesus promised you. Your eternal destiny is secure. He is always with you.
Because this is true, why worry about anything you may face today?
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]