Love that Gives!

Love that Gives!

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. John 3:16 KJV

The Context and Charge:

This is usually a popular passage quoted at Christmas, but would there have been a celebration of life if there was not first a death? We claim eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. If He did not submit to the cross, I wonder what our lives would have been like. Imagine the constant striving to appease God by frequent blood offerings, which interestingly could not even deal with sin permanently. Through the cross, we come to a place of total deliverance from the power of sin, and a permanent settlement of the question of eternity. 

Isn't it amazing that God's love is defined from the perspective of what He gave? Men ask for proof of love from what they have received, not what they give. We say: 'if you love me, you will do.....'. That is the way of the world. God had to do something the world could not define, limit or copy. What God gave to the world was himself. All of the above are made possible because of the gift that was given, with the gift also willing to lay His life down. There would be no life without the cross. You don't get anything from God if you don't first avail yourself of the gift that has been made available freely. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

God's definition is very important. He gave himself because that was the only thing that could provide full and lasting deliverance from the power of sin. God hates sin so much that this very high price had to be paid. The price has been fully paid, and the benefits of that price is eternal life. That is what Jesus came to give us. If I then reject this price, I wonder who else will plead my case before the judgment seat of God? 

I must note that judgement is coming. This is where the power of freewill is both a blessing and a burden. God does not force anyone against the exercise of that freewill, but there are eternal consequences to every decision made. Let it be known that no excuse will be tenable on that day of judgment, as I had all the time to decide to accept the price. Love has been given, and the call goes out to all of us today to respond the right way. Remember, the prize is eternal life for all who accept the price, but for all who reject, the price is eternal damnation. You do not want to miss the prize; eternity is too long a time to be spent away from God. God's time of favour is here.