This is perhaps the favorite passage in the New Testament: “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” (John 3:16). God loves his creation, the living souls created in his image (Gen. 1:26). This means that God cares for our eternal welfare. He did not create us simply to see us perish. God so loved, or loved to the extent, that he gave his unique Son Jesus for us. Love is the great motivator. God IS love (1 John 4:8), and everything he does is for our benefit. Jesus loves us in like manner: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16). God loved not just a few, but the whole world, the whole of mankind, and the sacrifice of Jesus was made for every person (Heb. 2:9). However, not all of mankind will be saved; only a minority will appreciate God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice (Matt. 7:13-14). Those who believe in Jesus should not perish—provision for salvation has been made. But salvation is not automatic. Believers must respond to the love of God and love of Jesus. Saving faith is active faith, obedient faith. Even demons believe and tremble; faith without obedience is useless (James 2:19-20). Theologians have long quibbled about head faith and heart faith, but only the obedient will be saved (2 Thess. 1:7-9, 2:13-14).
God loves us and gave us his Son. Jesus loves us and gave his life for us. If we love them, we will give our lives to them in obedience. Three times in John chapter 14, Jesus tied obedience to love (John 14:15, 21, 23). Again, love is the great motivator; it leads us to do the right thing. It leads us to obey the will of God, the will of Jesus Christ our Lord. To sing “O how I love Jesus!” is well and good. The proof is seen in obedience. Stay tuned…
To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC
