God Loves You

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

Life Application Study Bible Notes NIV:

The entire gospel comes to a focus in this verse.  God's love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in.  Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships -- when you love someone dearly, you are willing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice.  God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay.  Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life that he had bought for us.  When we share the gospel with others, our love must be like Jesus' -- willingly giving up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God's love.

Some people are repulsed by the idea of eternal life because their lives are miserable.  But eternal life is not an extension of a person's miserable, mortal life; eternal life is God's life embodied in Christ given to all believers now as a guarantee that they will live forever.  In eternal life there is no death, sickness, enemy, evil, or sin.  When we don't know Christ, we make choices as though this life is all we have.  In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity.  Receive this new life by faith and begin to evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective.

To "believe" is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God.  It means to put our trust and confidence in him that he alone can save us.  It is to put Christ in charge of our present plans and eternal destiny.  Believing is both trusting his words as reliable, and relying on him for the power to change.  If you have never trusted Christ, let this promise of everlasting life yours -- and believe.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

Life Application Study Bible Notes NIV:

While we were still sinners -- these are amazing words.  God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because he loved us.  Whenever you feel uncertain about God's love for you, remember that he loved you even before you turned to him.  If God loved you when you were a rebel, he can surely strengthen you, now that you love him in return.

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.  It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.  Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned. Song of Songs 8:6, 7

Life Application Study Bible Notes NIV:

Love is as strong as death; it cannot be killed by time or disaster; and it cannot be bought for any price because it is freely given.  Love is priceless, and even the richest king cannot buy it.  Love must be accepted as a gift from God and then shared within the guidelines God provides.

SINS VERSUS SIGNS OF LOVE