FOR GOD SO LOVED US
The most familiar verse in the Bible tells us this powerful truth:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
This single verse contains the heartbeat of the Gospel. God’s love is not a distant or abstract concept—it is a demonstrated, active, sacrificial love. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The love of God was shown by giving His Son to die for us on the Cross. He gave what was most precious so that we might receive what we could never earn.
When the Bible says that God “gave” His Son, it means more than just sending Him into the world. It means He gave Him up to suffer, to be rejected, to carry the weight of our sin, and to die in our place. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).
The greatest gift that has ever been given is the gift of Jesus Christ. And because God gave His Son to die for us, He can give us eternal salvation—not as a reward for good behavior, but as a gift of His grace.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Salvation is not earned. It is received. A gift must be accepted, and it must be accepted on the giver’s terms. God’s terms are not burdensome—they are full of grace. He calls us to believe in His Son and to trust Him with our whole heart. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
He also calls us to walk in obedience and love, which flows naturally from a heart that has been transformed by His mercy.
“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:9–10).
Jesus is the only one who ever fully pleased God. He lived without sin, perfectly obedient, perfectly righteous. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). When Jesus was baptized, the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
When we trust in Jesus, we are united to Him. God no longer sees us in our sin, but in the righteousness of His Son. This is the beautiful doctrine of imputed righteousness—Jesus’ perfect life is credited to us.
“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” (Romans 4:7).
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“You are hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
This means that when God looks at the believer, He sees the perfection of Christ. That is why we can come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), knowing we are accepted and loved—not because of who we are, but because of what Jesus has done.
And because of Jesus’ finished work, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are free.
“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18).
“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).
This is the good news of the Gospel. Jesus died for you. He rose again. He lives forever, and in Him, so will you. If you have trusted in Christ, you are forgiven, justified, loved, and made new.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
So look to Christ and be saved. Rest in His righteousness. Live for Him. Love Him. Let your life be a song of gratitude to the One who gave everything to rescue you.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Amen.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
