For God So Loved the World…
If someone asked you, “What’s the gospel of Jesus Christ?” What would you say? Many would quote John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son… This is the essence of the gospel message. Jesus said before his ascension, “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.
The context of John 3:16 continues in verses 17-21:
“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. 17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
Why did God send his only begotten son? The answer is in two verses that precede John 3:16. According to John 3:14: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” In this illustration from the Old Testament, God spared Israel even though they were grumbling and complaining in the wilderness. Because of their unbelief, God allowed poisonous vipers to enter the camp of Israel and many were bitten and died. However, God in his mercy made a way for their deliverance even though Israel had turned its back on God. In looking to the serpent that Moses lifted up, their lives were spared. Likewise when we repent, turn from our wicked ways, and turn our eyes upon Jesus, God will save us from perishing. As the song says, Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.
There are four categories of people when they hear the gospel of salvation. The first category of people is those who reject the gospel message outright. The second category is those who attend church and go through the rituals, but never have repented and do not have assurance of salvation. The third category is those who think they’re saved but they are not. They believe that they are saved because of their good works. These are like the Pharisees whom Jesus spoke of when he said, “You call me Lord Lord, but I shall say, I never knew you.” The fourth category is those who have believed the word of God that says, “These things have I written unto you that you may know that ye are sons of God.” These are Christians who know whom they have believed and are persuaded that He is able to keep that (Holy Spirit) which He’s committed to them against that day of righteous judgement. These are believers whom God has sealed with his Holy Spirit of promise. These are the sons of God who have been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever.
God’s salvation is because of love…For God so loved the world… God is love and light and in him is no darkness at all. God has called us to his church the body of Christ so that we can share his love for as Jesus said, you shall know that they are my disciples because of their love for one another.
God loved the world. The world is the Greek word “cosmos.” He even loves those in categories one through three. God loves even though this fallen world is not worthy of love. The agape love of God is unconditional. God’s love is not because of who we are but because of who He is. Love is the nature of God himself. The gospel of salvation is the good news of the love of God and the peace of God. Peace is the result of reconciliation through the sacrifice for our sin that Jesus Christ paid on our behalf.
In the first century, a Roman cohort of 70 soldiers had dedicated themselves to live for Christ. Because of their faith and allegiance to their Lord Jesus Christ, the Roman government issued a commanded that these soldiers should be put to death. However the soldiers that were sent as executioners, instead of killing them, joined the ranks of the Christian soldiers. Jesus said, be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The goodness is a result of the unconditional love of God.
Our salvation is a gift of God’s grace. Grace is divine unmerited favor given by the one who didn’t need to give it to the ones who didn’t deserve to receive it. What is it that God gave? For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. God’s greatest gift is the gift of his son. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…
How do we accept his gift? God says, “show me that you mean business by giving up the thing that is most to you.” This is a hard lesson to learn. Pete recalls that he learned this lesson in the father’s waiting room when his wife was in labor with their second son. The doctor came into the waiting room and said, “We’re losing the baby’s heartbeat.” God asked Pete, “no matter the outcome of this situation, will you still honor and serve me?” Pete had to search his heart. He answered, “God, you’re in control not me. No matter what, even if you take my wife and son, I’ll still honor and serve you.” The doctor came back into the waiting room and said, “We lost the baby.” The prayer that Pete had prayed comforted him and his wife through this ordeal. God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways are higher than our ways. Through the trials of this life, God will teach us that all things work together for good (His good and our good) for those who love God…to those who are called according to His purpose.
Can you trust a God who asks you to give up everything for him? Leaders lead by example. God himself gave up his only begotten son on our behalf. He will teach us the greatest lesson: to know that God is all we need when we come to an understanding that he’s all we’ve got. When we give up everything for God, only then will he be our all in all.
There is only one sin that cannot be forgiven. It’s not sin that keeps people from salvation. Rather, it’s rejection of the Saviour from sin. The message of salvation is in Romans 10:9, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Lord means owner. Salvation is not in who we are, but in whose we are. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father except by him. Jesus Christ is the gift given by God whereby we must be saved.
The bad news is that those who reject the Saviour will perish in eternity. The way is broad that leads to destruction. They remain stuck in categories one through three. However narrow is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life through Jesus Christ. Faith must have an object of faith. The object of faith is Jesus Christ. This is the good news of the gospel: that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life… For he who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him. This is the message of the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
The greatest gift, the greatest Christmas present is the presence of Christ in us the hope of glory. This is the gospel message. For God so loved that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael