April 12, 2015 – John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16This is one of the first verses I memorized when I was a child.  It contains so many truths that I could not fathom its depth as a child and I am still in awe of God’s great love.  How deep, how wide, how long, how high is his love?  It spans eternity!Having lost a son in death, I can only imagine giving, granting, permitting, sending, allowing an only son to die.  This is the depth of God’s love.  That whoever believes in Him….not choosing how much, how little to believe – but all the way –  believes.  To those who believe – all the way – shall not perish.  Instead, by trusting and loving – cousins of belief – we shall have eternal life.It was many years before I realized the assurance and the ‘paid in full’ caveat in verse 17.  Frailty of the human is his ability to choose, often like a wayward and rebellious child.  The wrong path leads to death.  God is not like the man I read long ago, who sat in an early church with a long rod with ball on it to tap people on the head if they fell asleep during the sermon.  He is a forgiving and loving God.  A God whose desire is to save us through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ.It is true, Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me – the Bible tells me so.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17