“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
that whosoever believes in him will not perish
but have ever lasting life. “
John 3:16
John 3:16 is the most famous verse in the Bible, known by believers and unbelievers alike. It is plastered on billboards, websites, t-shirts, jewelry and bathroom walls. It is everywhere except where it matters most, in our character.
John 3:16 is not a secret password to be repeated before entering into heaven. Neither is it an I.D. to be carried in our purse or pocket so we can get out of speeding tickets or a discount from a sister Christian. John 3:16 reveals the very character of God himself and it identifies those traits that will be found in us as we become more and more like Jesus.
“For God so loved the world that he gave…….” We are never more like God than when we love and when we give. I think that is why I love Christmas. Men, please don’t take away my man card, but one of my simple pleasures is to slip off and spend the whole day shopping for Dallas. Yes, you heard me, I like shopping for my wife! Listen again men….I don’t like shopping…... I like shopping for Dallas, for my wife. Why?
“For God so loved the world that he gave….” Those two words, loving and giving, go together. You can’t love without giving, and it is not really a ‘gift’ unless offered in love. I remember on Christmas morning the happiest people around the tree were not me and my sisters, but my parents. Why? Parents love to give to their children.
“For God so loved the world that he gave....” It is in God’s character to give. God gives because God loves. And when we give in love, we are like God. There are millions of people around the world who are longing to be loved. They just want to know that they matter, that someone cares, that they are not an accident. Some are lost, some are calloused, some are hurting, but all of them need love. Some are lonely, some are wealthy, some are poor, but all of them need love.
“For God so loved the world that he gave….” Giving is not about impressing, reciprocating or investing, it is about loving. Who do you love? How do you love? Do you love?
“For God so loved the world that he gave….” When we assemble in worship and give our offering, it is not about budget or bills, it is about a living, concrete demonstration of our love for God and what matters to God. And for some reason, the lost, the least and the poor really matter to God.
“For God so loved the world that he gave…” As you begin your Christmas shopping, please remember whose birthday we are celebrating and why God sent his Son. He came in large part to teach us how to love. Buy for your kids. Enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. Give to each other with generous hearts, but please remember the heart and character of God and for whom God sent his Son. He came so that whoever believes in him, especially the least and the lost, would not perish but have everlasting life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave…….” Our challenge and opportunity is for every household to match the dollars we spend on each other and give it to Jesus on his birthday. . The hope is that every household will place $1000 in the cradle on Christmas Eve so the least and the lost near and far, at home and in Ethiopia will have no doubt……“For God so loved the world, that he gave…………………”
Peace,
Rick
