(Read John 3 First)
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17
Do you hear that gentle but demanding call from Christ? A call, not of condemnation, but of something greater. A call to a redeeming life of passionate pursuit. Yes, everyone knows the previous verse and rightfully so. “God SO loved the world” yet this great love is made known by the saving and finished work at the cross. Many of us have lived the false narrative that we are saved by being “good”. This is clearly not the call of Christ we see here. His great love is the initiator.
“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” (v.27)
This includes the ability to be “good” enough. Perhaps the most practical gift Jesus gives us is the freedom from expectations. Yes, there is to be fruit in our life when we follow him but this comes only after we accept the love that peels back the self we hide behind. The role of self is meant to diminish, lost in the sea of a God who crashes against our insecurity and crushes our ego. We are to live in the echo of John the Baptist:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (v.30)
The anecdote is not more accomplishments, more self control, more respect, more Bible study, but more of Jesus. It is here where we see the “so” love of God played out.
Pray: Dear Father, thank you for Jesus. You show your love to us through him and because of him we can have the sort of freedom we crave. Free us from ourselves. May you be lifted high in all we do. Crush our ego and false ambition. Create in us a life that is bold in its confidence that you so love us, that you died in our place. We need more of you Lord. Come and have your say in our lives. Amen.
Matt simon blog 