God's eternal saving love

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For God so loved the world,[9] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

In John 3, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, who comes to him at night.

Jesus uses vivid imagery to encourage reflection and prompt questions.

  • He speaks of rebirth
  • then of the wind
  • and finally of the light

In between, John speaks of a clear message, verse 16 of God's love.

  • of faith
  • of eternal life

When we read John 3:16, three other Bible verses are often brought to mind:

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)


He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 (ESV)

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 
1 John 4:9 (ESV)


1. The all-giving savior love

The pinnacle of God's love is the self-giving of his Son for us humans.

Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
1 Timothy 1:13 (ESV)

All people were born in sin and are sinners. This cost the heavenly Father his only Son on the cross, in order to reconcile us with God.

He completely absolved us of all guilt. The righteous one went to the cross for our injustice.

In seiner göttlichen Macht hat Jesus uns alles geschenkt, was zu einem Leben in der Ehrfurcht vor ihm nötig ist. 2.Petrus 1,3 (NGÜ)


2. Jesus sacrificed himself out of love.


Abraham is a shadow of his former self. He is prepared to sacrifice his only, beloved son. Had God demanded all his possessions, that would have been difficult to do.

Now he is to slaughter his son, his heir, with his own hand and consign him to the flames—this surpasses anything he has ever known.

We, too, make sacrifices, but unfortunately often only what we can easily do without.

God desires that we offer our bodies as a holy sacrifice pleasing to God. according Romans 12:1


3. God's eternal love

May all who believe in him not perish, but have eternal life.

A brain specialist says: For me, as a physician, death is dead. There is no wandering soul in any state, just as there is no hell or heaven.

This brain specialist may have researched much of what goes on in our brains. He may be the world's best doctor and specialist in this field. Perhaps he has received awards for his research. But he has neither seen nor experienced eternal life. By his statement, he makes it clear that he does not believe in the Son of God.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
John 3:36 (ESV)

If you believe in the Son of God, who died on the cross for your sin, then you have eternal life and will not be judged.



Jesus Christ is God's great offer. Whoever accepts it possesses the precious treasure for time and eternity. (Gerhard Bergmann)

4. The songwriter expresses it aptly

1. The cross on which Jesus once died is the place where he received salvation. His grace flows freely, as free as a stream, and deep is the source, so hurry and come.

Refrain: There's still room for you on the cross! Many have already come and accepted salvation. Yes, there's still room for you on the cross.

2. Many have found a friend there, wept in repentance and penance when they saw Jesus there, innocent on Golgotha, sacrificed for sinners, so: salvation is here.

(Traudl & Richard Gastmann)
 

Author: Egon Waechter
Images: https://pixabay.com/de

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