#1. Jan. 5, 2015
2015 Devotional. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know”
by Freeman-Smith. All Passages are from the NIV.
John 3: 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.”
These are the words of Jesus as he taught Nicodemus about the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus was confused and he came to Jesus to try to understand His purpose. His confusion is understandable because Jesus is at odds with the religious establishment of the day. If Jesus came today as He did the first time He would associate with the down and outers: people addicted, the homeless, ex convicts, ladies on the wrong side of the law and society, like Nicodemus many religious people would be confused. Jesus’ and God’s plan for salvation is much more radical than some people are comfortable with. Looking at God’s plan in John 3:16 shows us how radical it is.
Salvation comes from God! He promises it in Gen. 3:15. He is bringing it about in history, Gen. 18:17-19, and salvation comes to completion in this week’s passage. It is all about God’s love (Rom. 5:8) for the world, it is not only about mankind. The word “world” in Greek means the world, the universe, and mankind. God is redeeming His creation but here He concentrates on His creatures, men and woman. God sacrifices Himself in Jesus Christ, not his “only Son” but “only begotten Son”. (The Greek: “only, unique”: but from early Christian history commentators thought that John uses this word as “the only begotten”). God’s Son, Jesus is the only worthy and perfect sacrifice that is acceptable to God. Jesus is the last and ultimate sacrifice that is exemplified in the Old Testament and now once and for all is superseded by Jesus on the cross. Jesus is God’s gift to mankind (Isa.9: 6). We cannot contribute to our own salvation, not by church attendance, not by some perceived goodness; we have nothing to offer God. We simply believe in Christ, that is our response to God’s love. What is so radical is that salvation is extended to “whoever”! No one is excluded here, certainly not sinners because that includes all of us (Rom. 5:8). We simply must believe. Our believing is the work of God (Jn.6: 28-40)! We believe by the power of the Holy Spirit and in doing so we will not perish (the spiritual death of unbelievers) but have eternal life. Think about the men crucified with Jesus. One rejected Him, the other said “Lord remember me”. Jesus’ response, “today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:39-43) Praise be to God!
What does this passage mean for Christians?
1. We have assurance of salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn it nor is there anything we can do to lose it (Jn 10:28,29).
2. We have a message for the lost: God loves you and we love you!
3. Once you accept Jesus and believe in Him, nothing will be able to come between you and your Savior (Rom 8: 31-38). Amen and Amen!
Heavenhigh 