GOD'S LOVE

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV).

Here we have the predominant verse in the Bible about the love of God. Its theme is the greatness of God’s love. Thus, we want to note five details about God’s great love.

Perimeter of God’s love – That God loved the “world” is the perimeter of His love and shows the greatness of His love. No love has embraced so many as God’s love. If we love a few neighbors, relatives, friends and most of our family, we think we are filled with love. But compared to the perimeter of God’s love, we have not even begun to love.

Proof of God’s love - “Gave” is the proof of God’s love. It is the proof of any love. And what one gives shows the extent of the love. God gave His Only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. It was the costliest and greatest gift ever given to man. This emphasized the greatness of God’s love. You cannot say you love God but are tightfisted and penny-pinching in giving. Real love will give generously.

Prudence of God’s love - “Gave His only begotten Son.” Love is discerning and wise and true love gives the best gifts. Love gets the right gifts for the one loved. God gave us exactly what we needed the most. No other gift was so needed, so profitable, so fitting as the gift He gave to man.

Protection of God’s love - “Should not perish.” Love protects the one that is loved. And the protection that God gives is the best protection of all, for it is spiritual protection and it is permanent protection.

Provision of God’s love - “But have everlasting life.” God’s love provides life. And the greatness of His love is seen in the greatness of the life provided. This life is not a second-rate life but is the best life of all. Furthermore, the life He gives is everlasting life. It will never end. All of this emphasizes that God’s love is great indeed.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Reading 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“The Cross is the ultimate evidence that there is no length the love of God will refuse to go in effecting reconciliation!”

R. Kent Hughes (1942 - )

American Pastor, Theologian and Author

Word Study

Fail

In Luke 16:9 we read, “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home” (NKJV).

“Fail” is the Greek word ekleipō (ἐκλείπω = ek-li'-po). It is made up of two words: “ek” which means out, and “leípō” which means to fail, to leave out or off. Thus, the word means to leave off, to fail, cease, come to an end. Figuratively, it means faint, or even die. In the classical Greek, ekleipō carried the idea of to leave out or off, to abandon a responsibility or a thing. In the Septuagint, ekleipō also carries the idea of to cease, to abandon, and to die. In the New Testament, ekleipō was taken to mean to cease, to fail. Here in Luke 16:9, the Lord Jesus is exhorting His disciples to exercise proper stewardship. He states that one’s money and wealth are transitory. Therefore, we are to use it wisely.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:6 KJV).

Did You Know…

According to 1 Sam. 3:12-13, the priest Eli was judged for the sins his sons committed because he knew of their sin and did nothing.

Bible Quiz

Why does Solomon caution: “Do not boast about tomorrow?”

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According the Book of Genesis, why did God bless the seventh day of creation? “Because in it He rested from all His work” (Gen. 2:3).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“TEMPLE”

"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Rev. 21:22 NJKV).

1. Meaning – TEMPLE refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only true Temple of God.

2. Insights – In Old Testament times, God manifested His presence and glory in the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle. However, the presence of God the Father and God the Son make the construction of a temple unnecessary. In the New Jerusalem, the whole city will become the temple, the sanctuary, the habitation of God and of Christ. God’s glory will be everywhere present in it. There is no conflict here, for the presence of God and the Lamb will make the whole city a temple. Those who dwell in it will be in constant direct contact and have access to the Lord God Almighty and His Son, the Lamb, our Redeemer. And we will have Him forever.

Did You Know – Christian History

Jozsef (Pehm) Mindszenty was born on March 29, 1892, in Mindszent, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary). He was a Roman Catholic clergyman who personified uncompromising opposition to fascism and communism in Hungary for more than fifty years.

Freedom to practice religion was a rare commodity in Hungary during the Nazi occupation. Any religious leader who resisted the totalitarian regime was in danger of life and liberty. Mindszenty, a Roman Catholic bishop during the Nazi occupation, was imprisoned during 1944 and 1945 for protesting the arrest of Jews. After World War II, he was made a Cardinal of the church. As the highest official of the Roman Church in Hungary, he became a target of Communist harassment, especially when he resisted nationalization of Polish church schools. He called churchgoers to boycott government newspapers and radio stations, because the media carried propaganda and lies.

On December 26, 1948, Mindszenty was arrested in Budapest by the Soviets who governed the nation. Accused of treason, the cardinal was convicted in a sham trial and given a life sentence the following February. For twenty-three years he would suffer imprisonment and isolation. During that time, he was unwavering in his love for God. The Hungarian Revolt of 1956 brought a change in his circumstances. Local peasants, armed with hoes, pitchforks and other farm tools demanded freedom for Mindszenty and food for the people. The soldiers guarding the cardinal gave him up.

Shortly afterward, Mindszenty appeared at the United States Embassy in Budapest, requesting asylum. The soldiers on duty were not sure what to do but decided to admit him. Washington telexed a few moments later to say every courtesy should be extended to the cardinal. Mindszenty remained in the embassy fifteen years. In 1971, Pope Paul VI ordered him to Rome. Free at last, Mindszenty toured among Hungarian refugees, but the Vatican placed a gag on his words. Rome had cut a deal with the Hungarian Communists. But Mindszenty was not the sort of man to remain silent. Asked to resign, he refused to do so, upon which the Pope relieved him of his responsibilities. Mindszenty died in exile in Vienna in 1975.

A Little Humor

A preacher was completing his sermon on temperance. With great expression, he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it in the river.” With even greater emphasis he said, “If I had all the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.” Finally, he said, “And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I would throw it into the river.” He then sat down. The song leader then stood and very cautiously announced with a smile, “For our closing song, let’s sing the Hymn: “Shall We gather at the River.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“The only way to live forever is to be born again!”