Thursday, March 5
Psalm 46
Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5
Hebrews 4:1-10
Psalm 46
Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5
Hebrews 4:1-10
John 3:16-21
16"For 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
16"For 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
Jesus continues his conversation with Nicodemus who is one of the elite of the party of the Pharisees. He continues to rock the world view of Nicodemus by what he is saying.
"For God so loved the world...". God's love is extended to all mankind. It wasn't exclusive to the Jews. Condemnation lay not in failing to observe the exact letter of the law in an attempt to achieve righteousness. It lay in failing to respond in faith to the ultimate expression of the love of God. God sent his only begotten son to perish on our behalf. God sent his only begotten son to reveal the wonders of his righteousness, mercy and love. He sent him, extending an invitation to all, regardless of race, gender or status to receive his salvation. It is a universal all- encompassing love that reaches all mankind in all its beauty and depravity. It is a love that shakes all of our human imaginations concerning our own self-righteousness and the nature and purpose of God. It turns our world upside down because it is counter to our human nature to live in this nearly incomprehensible dimension of grace and mercy.
We are called into the graceful embrace of the Father who reveals his love to us in His only begotten son. "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we may be saved". Acts 4:12
Pastor Linda Aadne
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