So Loved

For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. – (John 3:16, HCSB)

Yes, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him would not be lost but have eternal life. – (John 3:16, ERV)

For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. – (John 3:16, VOICE)

Nothing compares to the overwhelming, all-encompassing, sacrificial love of God. His love knows no bounds, and our understanding of such is but a glimpse of His true goodness. The best way for us to begin to comprehend the incomparable love is to look to Jesus and how He laid down His life to save ours. Even more, this incredible love grants us a free will and a choice as to whether or not we receive all that He has to offer. For those who choose to believe and receive, He is preparing a place for us for all eternity. I don’t know about you, but the very thought of a place prepared for us by the God who created such beauty throughout the heavens and the earth, is both overwhelming and exciting. We are so loved. Incredibly, His love is not limited to those who believe. He loves all and longs for each to turn to Him in trust. May we ever seek the Lord to grow our understanding of how we are loved, and in turn, how we were created to love in the same way.

There is such a love,

that knows of no bounds;

It searches for lost,

until they are found.

Love laid down His life,

so I might know mine;

forever with Him,

throughout all of time.

Love everlasting,

beyond all we know;

treasures in heaven,

and here down below.

As we choose to trust,

we soon understand;

how we are so loved,

was always God’s plan.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You so loved us that You gave Your one and only Son so that we might come to know life forever in You. Thank You for the people You have placed in our lives that show us glimpses of the goodness of Your perfect love. Forgive us for the times that we have either rejected the love You have for us, or have withheld love where we were meant to give. Teach us to trust You and follow Your leading, for You love in all things and at all times. Show us how to love others so that they understand how they are so loved. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You in awe and wonder and give You thanks that we are so very loved. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. – John 15:12