“For God so loved me that He gave His one and only Son to die and make up for my sins. And if I believe in Him I shall never die but live eternally with Him. For God did not send His Son to me to condemn me but to save me through Jesus Christ, His Son.” John 3:16-17 (my paraphrase)
Some would say that “This is it! the gospel, the Good News, in a nutshell!” I think it is definitely a good start. If I were a sailor, I might think of these verses as the North Star, a way to always find my way home in my faith journey.
When I am threatened with overwhelming pain and grief, it is the extravagant love of God in His words that shore up the shield of my faith and bring that sword of His Word to my mind and heart! When life isn’t fair – God is still faithful!
Jesus was the payment for my sins. The payment was more horrible than any movie Hollywood has conceived. It was beyond physical pain. It was the separation from all that had always been! Jesus did that…for me.
God’s promise is hope for all that would tell me, “It’s hopeless!” When I reach the end of the rope and know I cannot do this alone, God is there to tell me He will do it for me! I catch a glimpse of the depth of God’s love.
God offers me much more than any ‘plan’ conceived from this world. God promises forever. I will live forever with Him. It is the perfect love story. God teaches me how to love. He teaches me what love is. God shows me that love has more facets than the most beautiful diamond.
Jesus is man and God. Such a mystery! But here I am with Jesus, my friend, brother, and guide through this life. He came to be my Savior but so much more! He came not to beat me about my many, many failures but to, in fact, teach me how to choose and walk His way. He will literally save me from myself!
God loves. God is love. God loves me. WOW.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)
Yesterday, Today & Forever written & sung by Vicky Beeching
