It's All About Love-god'S Love
Scripture Reading — John 3:11-21
“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.”
John 3:16
Whether you have been reading these devotions every day, or if today is the first time, this is the heart of the gospel story about Jesus and his mission. “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
We neither can nor need to earn God’s favor in any way. God seeks and finds us. He sent his Son, Jesus, into our world, taking on our flesh as a fully human friend, brother, and Savior. And purely by grace, with no contribution on our part, Jesus paid the price for our sin.
Forgiveness and peace with God are pure gifts of grace. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). You do not pay for a gift you receive. God, who is a “fountain of sending love” (David Bosch), bestows that gift on you when you receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
How do you know when it is true for you?
I (Lynn) recall sharing these words with someone who was seeking Jesus and is now a pastor. Paul says that when we cry out to and seek the Father God, his Spirit is already in us testifying that we are in fact, his child (see Romans 8:15-16).
Lord, we are overwhelmed at how much you love us. Help us gratefully to receive your gift of salvation, forgiveness, and grace. Then help us to pass it along to others. Amen.
About the author — Allen & Lynn Likkel
Revs. Allen and Lynn Likkel have worked in communities across North America for many years—planting churches, nurturing them along, and developing new church leaders. A minister in the Christian Reformed Church, Allen served with Christian Reformed Home Missions for nearly 40 years, and Lynn, also ordained as a minister of the Word, has served to build leaders and new congregations. In November 2010, Allen entered retirement, and the Likkels moved to Washington, their native state. They have four adult children.
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