“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life…” (John 3:16 CEV)
The scripture above is perhaps the most popular verse in the Bible, but many haven’t understood the power of it. It reveals God’s great love for humanity. He loved the world of human beings, as sinful and wicked as they were, so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus to die in their place.
Doesn’t it amaze you that even when Adam sinned back in the Garden of Eden, it was still God who came looking for him (Genesis 3)? Adam was hiding from God, because he had sinned, yet God still covered his nakedness with animal skin, showing that he loved him. The Bible says “Herein 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).
So, clearly, God demonstrated His great and boundless love for us, while we were yet in sin. You may be reading this today and perhaps you’re not born again and you’re wondering, “Can God possibly love someone like me?” Emphatically yes! No matter what kind of life you may have lived, you can take advantage of His great love today.
Then, for you that are already born again, now that you know how much God loved the world of sinners, think about how much more He loves you that are born of Him! The Bible says “if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). If He loved the world of wicked men, He certainly loves you even more.
Take advantage of His great love today. I tell you the truth, you have no business with poverty, sickness and failure, for God has given you everything that belongs to Him (Romans 8:17). He did all this because of His great love; have faith in that love, for it’s been poured out abundantly for you. Take advantage of it today.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for lavishing your love on me. I am so glad that you sent Jesus to die for me, and I am even more glad to be called your offspring today. Help me, I pray, to comprehend the length, breadth and height of your love, which surpasses knowledge, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
Romans 5:8: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, andhath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
1 John 3:1 (NIV)
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
