JOHN 3:16 – “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.”

THEME OF THE DAY: SO LOVED ARE WE.    Today’s scripture may well be the most familiar verse in all the bible.  It also is the one verse that describes the entire message of the bible.  Martin Luther called John 3:16 “the heart of the bible – the gospel in miniature.”

Dr. Ralph M. Smith remarked, “One of my minister friends has made more than 600 outlines of John 3:16 whose central truth is the immeasurable, unfathomable love of God for all mankind.  It was said of Henry Morehouse that every time he stood to preach, he gave as his text, “For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

An unknown preacher once outlined his sermon on John 3:16 with twelve points!  Let’s take time today and ponder each one. It will not be difficult to see just how deeply we are loved by God, and that John 3:16 surely captures the whole of the bible in its one verse depth of truth detailing for us His love . . .

“God” …                                                     … The greatest Lover

“So loved” …                                            … The greatest degree

“The world” …                                         … The greatest number

“That He gave” …                                   … The greatest act

“His only begotten Son” …                  … The greatest Gift

“That whosoever” …                            … The greatest invitation

“Believeth” …                                          … The greatest simplicity

“In Him” …                                                … The greatest Person

“Should not perish” …                         … The greatest deliverance

“But” …                                                       … The greatest difference

“Have” …                                                   … The greatest certainty

“Everlasting Life” …                              … The greatest possession

So, when the devil seeks to sow doubt in our hearts about the love of God, start praying each word of John 3:16, then start thanking our heavenly Father for such love in the giving of His Son. Go further in thanksgiving to Jesus for His willingness to display such love, and finally, thank the Holy Spirit for making this love real and personal to us.

PRAYER:  Father, may I never question Your love for me, and when I listen to the devil’s lies, draw me to the cross.

REFLECTION:  God proves His love by the actions of His Son and the trustworthiness of His Word.