God's Mission Seen in John 3:16-17
John 3:16-17
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
~ Jesus
Pondering Point
Are you ready for some double-negative discourse? Here we go: It wasn’t enough for a just God to simply not kill everyone because of their evil ways. It wasn’t enough for a just God to merely not hate people because of their evil ways. It was only enough when a merciful God was able to love people to death – and bring them to Himself. This is WHY God sent His Son Jesus – out of love. This is HOW God sent His Son Jesus – in love. To perish. For our sins. So that, by grace (His) through faith (ours), we would not perish. This is so far from merely not murdering (a form of hate), or from merely not getting angry (another form of hate). It is loving deeply. It is acting in love. And it’s what we are called to do as children of the light. The ultimate goal is to actually love – deeply.
Prayer
Father God, I want to do more than the minimum in loving You and others. I want to love deeply. When potential for hate arises, let me push back with love that conquers all. When reasons to love arise, let me love well – and love deeply. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:137-144
- You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right. - The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy. - My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words. - Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them. - Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts. - Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true. - Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight. - Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
1 Peter 2:1-3
Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Promise
John 14:6
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.
Pondering Point
A thing can be trustworthy – say a bridge – and still not be trusted, left untested. God’s teachings are fully trustworthy. How are you trusting in them? Using them?