A Gift Given, Not Earned
Saturday’s Verses:
From John 3:16-17 ESV
(Jesus said) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”
These verses are familiar. Many of us first heard them as children or saw signs raised at football games bearing “John 3:16.”
Take note of how it starts: “God so loved the world.” Not the good. Not the cleaned-up version. Not the spiritually flattering picture. But the world. John’s definition of that word in his Gospel covers the people who misconceive God, neglect Him, rebel against Him, and finally reject Him. It covers you and me.
And what does God do for a world like that? He gives.
Here is the Gospel in its purity. God does not wait for us to get on our spiritual best behavior and come to Him. He does not send us tips, or a do-over, or a list of areas we need to improve. He sends His Son. As Lutherans we say that we are saved by grace alone through faith. John 3: 16 expresses the same truth with plain words: the Father gives, the Son is given, and faith receives.
“Whoever believes in Him.” Faith is not something we work for to earn God’s favor. It is simply reaching out and trusting that Jesus is enough. When you are burdened by your sin and your conscience accuses you of the things you have done or left undone, remember this promise: Christ was given for you—not to condemn you, but to save you.
John 3:17 clarifies this point for us. Jesus did not come to condemn the world. The Law does enough of that already. We know our sin without Him declaring it from Heaven. But Christ comes with good news. He comes with mercy. He comes and takes the judgment we deserve upon Himself. On the cross, God condemned sin in Him so that we might receive forgiveness.
God loves. God gives. Christ saves. There you have the center of the Christian faith.
If your faith feels weak today, meditate on this promise. Eternal life does not depend on how well you believe but on who it is that you believe. The promise is secured by Him.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, thank You that You loved a world that did not deserve love. Thank You for giving Your Son for me. Strengthen my faith to rely on Him alone for forgiveness and eternal life. Keep me in this promise today and forever. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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