For God So Loved the World

For God so loved the world is a basic tenet that most people in America today have heard and understand.  The Bible teaches us that God is Love.  We see the expression of that love all around us—in the beauty of his creation, in his provision for our needs, in our continued existence, and yes, as we read his Word, we see it in the sacrifice of his only begotten Son.

Yet the concept that some have of a God whose love will not allow for sin to be punished nor for anyone to be lost is not the God of whom we read in the Holy Script.  That selfsame famous verse tells us not “whosoever believeth in him will not perish,” but rather that “whosoever believeth in him should not perish.”  Jesus himself said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 7:21.

Our God is one who is longsuffering.  He waits upon us and he gives us every opportunity to repent and to turn to him.  Like the father in Jesus’ tale of the prodigal son, God awaits our return to him.  Yet he will not force that return…and a day will come when it is too late.  “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness…,” Acts 17:31.

Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” 2 Peter 3:9.

For God so loved the world…

Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so.  Acts 17:11