God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.

JOhn 3:16

John 3:16-21

Reflection

God loved the world so much that he gave his Son, Jesus, so that everyone might be saved. Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it, and for those who believe in his name, they are saved.

We hear this famous line often – “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son.” Yet how often do we truly reflect on this? In a world full of sin, hate, and evil, it can seem that God hates the world and does nothing to prevent suffering from occurring, or perhaps is even the cause of it. For those that do not know God or understand that he cannot cause suffering, this view makes sense.

But for us, who know our God loved us into existence, that viewpoint is completely backwards. God does love the world, otherwise he would not have sent Jesus to redeem us. Christ came to show us how deeply we are loved, and how following him reveals that love and helps us, in return, grow to love God himself better.

We know that Christ is the victor. God made the world, and he did not abandon it. Let God love you, and draw near to him daily.

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Saint of the Day

St. Caesar de Bus: 1544 – 1607

“How can I recommend myself to God while I am on the way to offend Him?” St. Caesar de Bus