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In John 3:12-16, Jesus declares the greatest love that can ever be known by mankind. The fact that God could love humanity to this extent is part of the greatest love story ever known among men. In the text, a man named Nicodemus had come asking Jesus a question. As Jesus answered his question, He discussed the need man has for salvation, telling Nicodemus that he needed to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus explained God’s love in this offer of salvation. The extent and in what ways God has gone to express His love for us is not a mystery. There are certain facts that many take for granted that we should consider; facts that prove just how God loves us.
God has shown His love for mankind in the events of the creation of this world. While many in the world only see bad things happening, such as floods, fires, tornadoes, and the atrocities mankind forces upon others, God still loves mankind. With all the bad that goes on in our world many fail to focus on and appreciate the good. Simple things like sunshine, rain; trees, grass, our food, clothing, shelter; even the mere beauty of the world in which we live; those things which occur on a daily basis are often unappreciated as men focus on the tragedy in life. Never-the-less, in the physical blessings of life, God has demonstrated His love for us. Consider (Psalms 19:1-6, Matthew 5:45, Acts 14:17, Acts 17:24-28, 1 Timothy 6:17).
The Bible also demonstrates the love of God because it is God communicating with us. Because of their love for their children, parents communicate with them giving both warnings and encouragement. God does the same as He speaks to us through His Word. In his communication He relates to us what he expects from us by setting out the standard of behavior that He demands; the standard that we must follow if we expect to go to heaven. In His message, God points out what is dangerous to our souls; this is a great expression of His love. His expectations of man are no secret. See (Deuteronomy 30:11-16, Psalm 119:105). Why all this communication? Because of the great love of God has for mankind.
The standard of morality that God has given is a demonstration of His love for man. Without a high standard of morality where would we be? Where morality is lacking in this world, sin is striving. The fact that God has given us a standard for behavior means that He loves us and wants us to live happy lives. Consider the following: Psalms 19:7-10 and 1 Thessalonians 4:9. Paul said in Romans 13:8-10 “Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Even the warnings found in the Bible show God’s love. Warnings like the one found in 1 Corinthians 6:18. There Paul said, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” The fact is, God loved us enough to give us standards to live by which improve our lives.
God showed us His love in giving us His plan for mankind’s salvation. The truth is, without God’s love, man would be in an awful fix. This is true because sin separates man from God according to Isaiah 59:2. And just one sin will condemn us eternally if we are not under the blood of Christ (Romans 6:23). There is a debt we owe for the sin in our lives and God has even paid that debt through His beloved Son. Paul in Romans 5:6-9 said “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
Finally, God showed us his love for us when He promised us eternal life with Him. We should know that God did not have to make that promise. To be honest, man deserves to be punished eternally for his sins. But God in His great love has said, not only will I not punish you for your sins but will rather reward you for your obedience and service. That is part of the message we read about in John 3:16, Hebrews 9:15, 2 Peter 3:13 and 1 John 2:25.
We should always recognize, appreciate, honor, and respect the love God has for us, His most prized creation.
(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)