God’s Gift of Love
Read: John 2:23-3:21 and SOAP verses 16 and 17
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17
How deep the Father's love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure
How Deep the Father’s Love
These words, from the hymn – How Deep The Father’s Love For Us, by Stuart Townsend, came to mind as I read and began to soap this passage. It’s a perfect description of the love of God. The God who knew what was in the heart of man – yet would send His one and only son into the sin cursed world to rescue everyone who would believe in Him. Surely, there is no greater love than this – a love that would lead Him to turn His face away from His only son … a love that allowed my sin to hold Him on the cross … a love that allowed deep wounds to inflect Him on my behalf … and a love that worked in such a way that left me no room to boast – except in the cross of the One who paid my ransom.
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)
The Gift and Its Benefit
The gift of God’s love was Jesus Christ, His only son and the benefit or blessing of the gift was salvation for all who would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul affirms this in Romans 6:23 where we read that, “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” and again in Ephesians 2:8-9 where he writes, “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and this is not form yourselves it is the gift of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
While the chief benefit of God’s gift is salvation we must not miss the secondary benefit, the freedom from condemnation of our sin. Paul affirms this benefit as well in Romans 8:1 where we read, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Our Response to a Love Like This
- Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can share in the gift (16)
- Accepting the free gift (16)
- Living free from the power of sin (Romans 6:1-2, 14)
- Walking in the freedom of no condemnation (18)
- Practicing the truth so that others may see, hear, and know God. (21)
What Believers Need to Remember and Unbelievers Need to Know
We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory, we need a savior. Roman 3:23
Jesus is the only Way to eternal security. John 14:6
He was crucified, dead, buried, and raised to life to be our redeemer. Ephesians 1:7
Believing that – having faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
Hear what God’s Word says – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10
An Invitation
Do you want to know Him as your personal Savior? Consider these truths and believe in Him to be saved. Turn it into a prayer, tell Him you believe you are a sinner and your are coming to Him in faith – trusting Him to save you from your sins. 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Claim the eternal security (John 3:16) and the new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) He has promised to all who believe in Him.
Please let me know if you have chosen to believe in Christ and be saved. I would love to send you a gift to celebrate your new life in Christ. If you have questions just message me I would be happy to connect with you and help you understand this amazing gift of God.