My Thoughts . . .
Monday, 08-09-2021

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17 KJV).

God loved a world full of people who were in love with idols of gold, silver, and wood. God loved a world that worshiped idols which allowed them to commit all kinds of sexual sins. God loved a world that enslaved other men and treated them as property rather than as human beings. God loved those who used his name to curse other men. God loved men who were cruel, hateful, and lived only for themselves. God sent his Word to become flesh, be born as a baby, and to die upon a Roman cross for those who loved or hated Him.

If it had not been for that love, God would have had mountains to spit out burning lava to erase humans beings from the earth’s face. If it had not been for that love, God would have sent numerous plagues to bring terrible sores and slow, horrible death upon mankind. If God had not loved us, his hate would surpass anything man could dream up to make life miserable. But He did not.

God sent His Word to become flesh and live among those who wanted to murder Him. He loved us so much that He was willing to allow His Son to be treated disrespectfully and cruelly by being nailed to a Roman cross. God loved us so much that He did not rescue His Son from that cross, but allowed him to undergo its torture, to be humiliated, to be embarrassed, and to be spit upon to pay for our sins. Jesus was willing to suffer the beatings, the inhumanity, and the pain of the cross so we could be saved.

Some will ignore God’s love. There are some who ridicule Jesus’ payment as foolishness and shake their heads in disbelief. Some marvel at Jesus sacrifice, but believe the reward of heaven depends upon their payment of righteousness. Some appreciate that kind of love and because it was demonstrated by Jesus, decide to fully trust him to save them.