"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Most persons' idea of John 3:16 is, "For God sooooooooooooo loved the world...." Is that really the heart of this verse? How can one put a degree or magnitude on the love of God, just add another "o" to the, "so"? When someone says, "God loves us so much," it reflects a feeling rather than an act. But God's love, manifested supremely in Jesus Christ, is an action word. The concept of love as feeling is the reason the "love" of so many love songs and Hollywood movies is empty and very temporary. There is no limit or expansion when speaking of God's love. The great song, "The Love of God," expresses this so well, "how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure."
I have shared before the wonderful discovery of many years ago. According to Strong's, the word translated, "so," means, "thus, so, in this manner." This accurate translation also reveals the Greek word in the passage for, "loved." The word for, "loved," in our text is the verb form of, "agape." Love is something I do, not something I feel. And neither is love something you describe in the amount. Biblical love, the love of Jesus, is always described in the demonstration, in action. 1 Corinthians 13 does not speak of love in volume. It speaks of love as action. "Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything" (J. B. Phillips.). "Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting" (CEV). Such description reveals action, enduring commitment. This is the love of John 3:16, "Thus, in this manner God loved the world, that He gave His only...Son"----- and keeps giving and giving. Giving is the supreme definition of God's love.
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to ever be mindful that Your Love is giving, not taking. Amen.
**************
* Berlin/Bosnia Mission: May 1-20
* Read of what is currently happening in the land of the Seven Churches of Revelation: jhs58.blogspot.com
Most persons' idea of John 3:16 is, "For God sooooooooooooo loved the world...." Is that really the heart of this verse? How can one put a degree or magnitude on the love of God, just add another "o" to the, "so"? When someone says, "God loves us so much," it reflects a feeling rather than an act. But God's love, manifested supremely in Jesus Christ, is an action word. The concept of love as feeling is the reason the "love" of so many love songs and Hollywood movies is empty and very temporary. There is no limit or expansion when speaking of God's love. The great song, "The Love of God," expresses this so well, "how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure."
I have shared before the wonderful discovery of many years ago. According to Strong's, the word translated, "so," means, "thus, so, in this manner." This accurate translation also reveals the Greek word in the passage for, "loved." The word for, "loved," in our text is the verb form of, "agape." Love is something I do, not something I feel. And neither is love something you describe in the amount. Biblical love, the love of Jesus, is always described in the demonstration, in action. 1 Corinthians 13 does not speak of love in volume. It speaks of love as action. "Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything" (J. B. Phillips.). "Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting" (CEV). Such description reveals action, enduring commitment. This is the love of John 3:16, "Thus, in this manner God loved the world, that He gave His only...Son"----- and keeps giving and giving. Giving is the supreme definition of God's love.
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to ever be mindful that Your Love is giving, not taking. Amen.
**************
* Berlin/Bosnia Mission: May 1-20
* Read of what is currently happening in the land of the Seven Churches of Revelation: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
