Tuesday, July 14, 2009

THE GREATEST GIFT EVER

John 3:31-36 (King James Version)

31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.

33He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.



Can we fathom love like the Father hath for His Son? Or the love the Son has for His flock?

Few of us can really imagine actually doing what God has done for us through His Son. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac in his faithfulness to God and what a test that was. I am not so sure I could pass such a test, and how thankful I am that I will most likely not have to be tried and tested in this way.

While we endure trials and tribulations of big and small proportions, we are usually very comfortable knowing that we are saved because the Father sacrificed His One and Only Begotten Son that reconciles us to the Heavenly Father. We give thanks, praise and honor to Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins.

In our comfort, do we really think about this incredibly amazing act of love on the Father's part as well as the Son's part? I know I don't; not often enough anyway.

If I could truly imagine, which I cannot, willingly and purposefully having a child of mine ridiculed, tortured and killed, it would certainly make me angry to hear any denial of the act. Thus, I can completely understand the wrath that awaits those who do dare to deny what Christ did for us with His suffering and death.

But Jesus, as a man, always knew the love of His Father in Heaven and never gave an indication of the slightest amount of doubt regarding that love. Jesus is our ultimate example for all things, and we should never have any doubt of the Son's love for us even in the most difficult or trying of times.

May that love give you good courage and boldness today and always, for there is nothing as precious and priceless as this love that saves us even while we are still sinners.

John 1:16 And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace.

How blessed are we.