You Are So Loved

“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

I just recently finished reading a book that contains selected sermons by A.W. Tozer taken from John’s Gospel. This short verse is the basis for everything that Jesus - as the One and Only Son - would do. Jesus’ ministry was driven by His love for individuals, His love for you and me. Concerning this verse Tozer wrote: “When I read those words ‘God so loved the world,’ it means in personal terms that I mean something to God. God has His eyes on me and is emotionally concerned for me.” Let that thought sink in for a few moments - You and I mean something to God. 

Everything Jesus did from changing water to wine, healing those who came to him, feeding the hungry, restoring life and bearing the weight of mankind’s sin on a Roman cross were all done out of his intense love for every individual human that walks this planet. 

As followers of Christ, as creatures made in the image of God we are supposed to reflect His image to the world around us. When we realize how intensely He loves us, His love should flow out of us and into those around us even into those who have hurt us, who live differently than we do, who don’t agree with our politics or our religion. 

In a world where hopelessness seems to be on the rise, imagine what coming to the realization that God loves you just because you are you. What a difference that would make - what a difference that has made in many of our lives. 

This week, if you know how much God loves you, pour that love into the lives of those around you, especially those who do not understand how much they are worth to the heart of God. This week if you are someone who is feeling hopeless - know that God loves you and that there is at least one person praying for you to feel in a tangible way just how much God loves you - so you will know how valuable you really are.

A Prayer
Father, thank you for loving us so intensely, thank you that Your Son was driven by that love in everything He did, including dying in our place to restore our relationship with You. May we who are filled with your love pour into those around us that same love in which we find our hope and our value. May those who think they are worthless and that no one cares for them, feel Your love in a new and tangible way even now. In the name of Jesus, Amen