God So Loved the World

“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)

Not many would recognize the name “Rollen Stewart” but if you watched sports in the 1980’s there is a good possibility you know who Rollen Stewart is. Rollen Stewart is the man that traveled around the country, attending sporting events, and while at these events he could be seen wearing a rainbow-colored wig and holding a sign that stated “John 3:16.” Stewart made the decision to travel the country to attend sporting events and promote the Gospel by flashing a John 3:16 sign. Sadly, Stewart was convicted of several crimes and the man that traveled thousands of miles to promote the love of God would be sentenced to serve three life sentences in 1992 because of his crimes. The world is filled with people that promote love outwardly but inwardly they are filled with hatred. The world continues to prove itself as a hostile environment. Acts of violence and violent crimes are ever present, countries are constantly at war with one another, society as a whole is driven by hatred (or so it seems). Jesus warned His apostles that there would be hostility in this world, but they could be comforted as He also told them He had overcome the world (John 16:33). We need to be reminded often of the love that we are to have although the world is a hostile environment. Jesus stated the greatest commandment given to man was to “love” (Matt. 22:37ff). The first letter written to the church at Corinth contains an entire section that deals with love (1 Cor. 13). John discusses love (1 John 4) and in this discussion he states, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). John 3:16 has been called “the golden text of the Bible” and this verse reminds us that although we are living in a hostile world, we can delight in the love of God that has graciously and mercifully bestowed upon us. Let’s notice the great things about John 3:16.

The verse begins by describing the “Greatest Being”. The Giver of the love that is spoken of in this verse is Jehovah. Our Father in heaven not only created all things, created man and woman, created love, created the family and the home, but did not simply create all and then leave it to take care of itself, but continues to love, nurture, and care for that which He created. Man at his very best deserves eternal destruction, as “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23) but God is rich in mercy and love and although we were deserving of death, our God loves us and desires that we all be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

“Greatest Emotion” (“so loved”). God is love and this is seen clearly in John 3:16. It has been said that God is love, and although He does not need us, He wanted us and proves His love for us in offering salvation to us all. God loves everyone to the same degree as there is no respecter of person with God (Rom. 2:11) and His love is available to all. God loves us without dissimulation, without distinction, and without hesitation.

The “Greatest Number” (“the world”). As has already been stated, God has not withheld His love from any person, but offers His love to all. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23), but instead of sending destruction upon the disobedient, God sends His love. When Jesus went to the cross, He shed His blood for the remission of sin and that blood was not shed for a limited amount or a select or “elected” chosen few, but it was shed for all who will humbly submit to the will of God and contact the blood of Christ in the waters of baptism (Rom. 6:3ff.).

The Greatest Act (that he gave). God’s love is seen as being love in action. His great love for man is not in word only but is also in deed as it is a love that gave. So many in the world are guilty of claiming to love others but when the rubber meets the road and it is time to put that love into action, then their love is proven to only be in word and not in deed. Man actively disobeys God, and God actively gave in order that man can be saved from their disobedience.

The Greatest Gift (His only begotten Son). God gave His best for our worst. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. From the foundation of the world, God had an eternal purpose that Christ would come to offer Himself for our redemption (Eph. 3:10-11). The blood of bulls and goats was not good enough to redeem us from sin (Heb. 10:4). Man could never merit salvation by any works that he might do, but because God so loved us, He gave us a Savior that would go to the cross in order that we might be saved.

The Greatest Requirement (whosoever believes). The love of God is available to all and in order to be beneficiaries of this great love, man must believe. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Unless one believes that Jesus is the Christ, they will die in sin (John 8:24). Jesus stated that those that believe and are baptized will be saved, but the one that does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16).

The Greatest Tragedy (should not perish). What a great tragedy it is to think of one that will be lost eternally. Many have questioned the goodness of God because of the fact that many will be cast into hell. Many will question how a loving God can destroy many. The fact is crystal clear in John 3:16 that God loves all, and has given His Son for all, and if a person is going to be lost eternally it is not because of God but is because of sin and a failure to access the love of God through faithful obedience to His commands.

The Greatest Reward (but have everlasting life). Someday the faithful will be able to dwell with God forever. David closes the twenty-third Psalm by stating “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6). There is a great day coming in which all will be resurrected and will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and on that great day the faithful will be escorted into the presence of Jehovah and will be able to be face to face with Him for all of eternity.

God is love, and His love is seen in the gift that was given to all of mankind. We may be living in a hostile world, but we can be comforted knowing that we serve a loving God.