Articles
The Love of God
The Love of God
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)
For just a moment go back in time to July 20, 1969. This is a day in which a historic event takes place. People all over the world are filled with excitement as man takes his first steps on the moon. It was reported that a young man in answer to a reporter’s question as to what he thought about this replied, “it is the greatest thing that has ever happened.” It is true that this was a great moment but man going to the moon is not the greatest thing that has ever happened. Without a doubt, far greater is that Jesus left heaven and came to this earth.
John 3:16 is perhaps the most quoted verse of the entire Bible and in fact it is the first verse ever memorized by many of us. Not only does it tell us of God’s wondrous and deep love for us, it also proclaims the promise of eternal life. I hear John as he says, “See what great love the Father has bestowed on us that we would be called God’s children. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we shall be like him because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3).
John 3:17 continues by telling us that “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” We live today between visits of the Lord to this earth. One is a matter of history; the other is one of promise (Luke 2:8-11, Acts 1:9-11). How beautiful are the words of Jesus found in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am there you may be also.” Truly, as we often sing, “The love of God has shed priceless blessings on our heads (Rom. 5:8, Col. 1:12-14, Heb. 5:8-9).
When he does return to this earthly sphere, there will follow the day in which all men will stand before him in judgment (Acs 17:30-31, 2 Cor. 5:10, 2 Thess. 1:7-9). What a day that will be. For some it will be a bright, beautiful, wondrous day because they will hear, “Well Done.” On the other hand, some will hear “Depart From Me” (Matthew 25). On that day will we reap glory or will we reap tears? It all depends on our willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure that one day we will hear, “Well Done”. It all begins with hearing, believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized for forgiveness of sins (Rom. 10:17, John 6:29, Heb. 11:6, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30-31, Rom. 10:9-10. Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Gal. 3:27). But just because we have a good beginning does not mean there will be a good ending, for you see, we must continue to live faithful, standing fast in the faith, seeking and setting our affections on things above, striving every day to do those things that will make our calling and election sure (Rev. 2:10, 1 Cor. 16:13, 1 Cor. 15:57, Col. 3:1-3, 2 Peter 1:5-11).
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
