For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
—John 3:17 (KJV)
How do you view God?
Is he someone looking for a way to condemn or punish you? Is he an out-of-touch ol' curmudgeon who doesn't really know what it's like in our modern world? Is he too pious and holy to soil himself with the concerns of mere mortals and has left it up to us to work everything out for ourselves, including earning our salvation?
No. NO. NO!
God chose to enter our world and experience it from the side of mortality (John 1:14-18; Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16). Why? Because he loves us and yearns to save us. God chose to enter our world, not to condemn us or it, but to redeem it and each of us. Jesus is the great reminder that God longs to save us, not condemn us. He's looking for ways to give us life, not to exclude us from his presence. Thank God for God! Thank God for Jesus, who was and is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Holy and Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing to be with those of us who are contrite and repentant and who long for your presence (Isaiah 57:15). You know we are only mortal, broken, but still you chose to love us in Jesus. You know that we are deeply flawed, but you've redeemed us. You know that we are not perfect, but God sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice to save us. Thank you. Through your Son and my Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of God, I offer you my sincerest gratitude, praise, and life. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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—John 3:17 (KJV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
How do you view God?
Is he someone looking for a way to condemn or punish you? Is he an out-of-touch ol' curmudgeon who doesn't really know what it's like in our modern world? Is he too pious and holy to soil himself with the concerns of mere mortals and has left it up to us to work everything out for ourselves, including earning our salvation?
No. NO. NO!
God chose to enter our world and experience it from the side of mortality (John 1:14-18; Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16). Why? Because he loves us and yearns to save us. God chose to enter our world, not to condemn us or it, but to redeem it and each of us. Jesus is the great reminder that God longs to save us, not condemn us. He's looking for ways to give us life, not to exclude us from his presence. Thank God for God! Thank God for Jesus, who was and is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
My Prayer...
Holy and Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing to be with those of us who are contrite and repentant and who long for your presence (Isaiah 57:15). You know we are only mortal, broken, but still you chose to love us in Jesus. You know that we are deeply flawed, but you've redeemed us. You know that we are not perfect, but God sent Jesus as the perfect sacrifice to save us. Thank you. Through your Son and my Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, the Son of God, I offer you my sincerest gratitude, praise, and life. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Continue reading...
