John 3:16-17
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.
Have you ever been in love?
When you’re in love, it causes you to do things others might view as crazy. You find yourself saying and doing things you normally would never do. Think about the movies people watch. Some choose action-packed Avengers films, while others sit through three hours of The Notebook. Why? Love.
Think about the music people listen to. Suddenly you’re listening to Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” on repeat, even though it’s not normally your style. I’ve found myself doing things, going places, I normally wouldn’t. But I do. Why? Because I’m motivated by love.
What others perceive as crazy or silly or a waste of time never feels that way when you’re motivated by love.
And here’s the truth: God loves you with such a passion that He is jealous for all of you. He doesn’t want to share you. He wants all of you. Imagine you’re married and if a neighbour started giving flowers to your spouse. How would you feel? Those feelings of righteous anger and that protective jealousy come quickly don’t they… Why? Because it’s your spouse! That’s how God feels about you. He wants to know you. He wants a relationship with you.
But something is blocking that relationship: sin.
What is sin? Sin is selfishness. It’s living our own way instead of God’s way. Sin is what separates us from God.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
The consequences are serious: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23)
So how do we see and experience the the great love that God has for us?
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17)
You need to know that God is so in love with you. And that love is NOT based upon your behaviour.
Notice the word: WHOEVER.
He so desires for you to know Him that He removed every obstacle. He took your place. He bore your sin by dying on the Cross for you. Why? Because He loves you and wants to know you.
We know God loves us by the fact that He sent Jesus to pay the price of sin for you and me.
God’s love for you motivated Him to do something “crazy” in the eyes of the world to send his perfect Son to die for imperfect people. His love doesn’t change based on your performance. It’s constant, fierce, and complete.
The question is: Will you receive it? Will you believe it? Will you live from it?
Take a moment to thank God for His love.
If you’ve never received Christ’s love and forgiveness, today is your day. Simply tell Him: Jesus, I know You love me. I believe You died for my sin. I repent of my sin and I receive your forgiveness and want to know You. Make me new.
