In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 KJV
The Inspiration:
John would know what he was talking about here. Whether it was John the beloved or any other John, one thing is clear: it takes a personal encounter with the love of God to be able to write this way. Men generally go to school and get an education in specific areas of knowledge, and just as it applies to the physical, so does it apply to the spiritual. God is using this earthly life to show us our eternal need of Him. It may look ordinary or maybe one of those many things, but we know now that God would not let any of us go down without a fight. He moved the whole of the heavens and the earth just to lay out a plan and path for the salvation of all men. That plan is eternal in nature, but it needed to come at God's appointed time. That plan was and is still all about Jesus.
The Contention:
This plan remains in place until Jesus returns, which means that I do not have forever to make up my mind what I want to do. It does not matter what I do or not do; it will not change the fact that the love of God is available to me. This love was not subject to me earning or working hard for it; it simply was available. I could not afford to pay for it, because it was not the kind of thing you could pay for with any type of earthly currency. It was not love by words alone, but love brought to life in the person of Jesus. Jesus was not sent for any other part of God's creation, but for us human beings. No other part of creation needs salvation. We are God's focus, His heart. He wants us to come to Him in full assurance of faith, sure and certain that the life of Jesus given for free is all I need.
The Conclusion:
I note the reward for the right response to the love of God defines eternal life for me. Life without end lies at the end of my response. It must be pointed out that this eternity is without end, and there are only two choices: with God or without God. There is no middle ground or fence to sit on as I must either go with God or settle with the devil. The way to God is through Jesus; there is no other person accredited by God to be the channel of salvation for mankind. I must make the approach today, while I still have time. Life is available in and through the Son. The danger here is to make assumptions about how much time we have; now is the acceptable time; today is the day of salvation. There are no guarantees about tomorrow. Have you embraced the love of God? Have I? God's time of favour is here.
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