GOD'S LONGING FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN

John 3:16

Morning Meditation 3/16/2013

"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 is called the golden text of the Bible. I agree. There is no verse that opens God's heart for the welfare of man more than this one. First let's begin with God's longing for the salvation wherein,

THE CROSS OF CHRIST DECLARES IT

This is no minor thing that God did in the incarnation of His Son to die for the sinner on the cross. What God did He did because He so loved the world. He proved it by giving His "only begotten son." Then he put salvation within the reach of every soul: "that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish." God has provided the cross for those of us that know that we cannot get to heaven with our good works. So He provided the righteousness of His Son, and His sinless sacrifice on the cross, to pay the penalty of our sins. God's intent is set forth in John 3:16.

THE NATURE OF GOD ASSERTS IT

1 John 4:8-9, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 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."

This verse is not telling us that God has love for the human race. It does not say that. I have talked to people in many counseling sessions where the husband or wife said, "I don't love him/her any more. Human love can come and go. But God in His essence is love. He does not have to make a special effort to love. God's love is such that the sin of the sinner does not change God from love to hate. Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

It is a fact that no one on this earth is lovable from God's standpoint. But He loves us because He created us in His image. Satan succeeded in tempting man to sin but He did not stop God from loving His creatures. Love is the primary motive for salvation. We are loved with the unconditional love of God. He stands ready to save the sinner by grace the moment the sinner sees his condition and yields by faith to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

THE INVITATION OF JESUS AFFIRMS IT

Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This is the rest of salvation. Isaiah says, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt." (Isa. 57:20).

Jesus invites all to come to Him and His promise is, "and I will give you rest." He has the desire to do it, He has the power to do it, He has made all the provisions necessary to do it. It is the sinners move. The invitation has been given and waits for the sinners response.

THE TEARS OF CHRIST CONFIRM IT

Luke 19:41, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it," Jesus knows fully the destiny of man without salvation. He beholds the multitudes going on their way with no concern for their eternal souls and He weeps for them. The tears of Christ confirm His desire to save the lost. He had our welfare in mind when He came.

THE AMBASSADORS OF THE GOSPEL PROCLAIM IT

2 Corinthians 5:20-21, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

God has chosen through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Cor. 1:21). This is the reason that no sermon should be preached that does not have the grace of God in it.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White