God's Love

John 3:16-17 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 sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 


The most famous passage in the gospels. Jesus is speaking about himself, and saying some powerful affirming words for those of us who believe and some harsh and difficult words to those who have chosen to stay in the darkness. That part of this section is about those who have avoided facing what they have done wrong. They hide from their humanity which can't be trusted and refuse the help of the God who can be trusted. This is not about being a person in the church or out of the church, it is about those who accepted their need for God's forgiveness, the forgiveness found in Christ. I spent years living as though God did not know my sins. I acted as though I could hide in the dark and God would not see the choices I made that hurt others. From the start my attitude denied the power and very nature of God.

Even as God came in the form of Jesus of Nazareth to save us, he would not take away our right to choose to reject his free gift. He came to save us not to manipulate us. Don't think that admitting your faults leads to the same place it does in the world. In the world admitting our faults and failures often led to judgement and punishment, but with God it leads to freedom. I thank God that I found that love that God came to give me. It changed everything.