For God So Loved The World

    John 3:16 is arguably the most “famous” verse of the Bible.  It is the purpose of the Bible in one sentence:   “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  I will paraphrase it like this: “God loves each person so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross so that everyone who believes in Him will spend eternity in heaven.”  That’s a lot of love when you consider “each one”.
 
    You see, that includes the man out west who killed his wife and two daughters.  It includes the gang member with tattoos all over his face that murdered a young girl in a drive-by shooting. It includes the drug dealer and prostitute as well as those who choose a homosexual lifestyle or try to live in opposition to their sex.  Every liar, every thief, and every gossiper is deeply loved by God.  He abhors their sin and hates the un-Godly things they do but He loves them so much that if they repent of their sin and confess Him as Lord, He will save them.  It is that simple…yet that amazing.
 
    For the Christian, then, there is this:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 NIV.  Yes, we are commanded to love those that God loves…each and every one.
 
    That doesn’t mean that those who break civil law shouldn’t be punished. Of course, there will be repercussions for breaking the law. Nor does it mean that we give those that break God’s moral laws a pat on the back and tell them that because God loves them, they can live out their carnal desires.  But it does mean we do not shun them or fail to present the Gospel to them. We are to “speak the truth in love…” Ephesians 4:15 NIV.
 
    Sinners don’t want to hear the truth, though, especially in an age where Satan is telling them the opposite in an increasingly secular and twisted world. Therefore, everyone who speaks it are called haters.  Ironic, isn’t it? The people with the most love on their hearts are called haters.
 
Say good things about your Savior and His Church on the Bluff
 
Bro. Tony