“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10
Love begins with God. “God is love” (1 John 4:8). We cannot understand the depth of His love nor are there sufficient words to adequately explain it. But we can experience it.
Love needs an object. We are the object of God’s love. John 3:16 says “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.” God revealed His love for us by sending His Son to “the world that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9). Jesus came as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
What does it mean for Jesus Christ to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins? Each one of us deserve the penalty of death, or separation from a holy God because of sin but Jesus took on our sins on the cross. He paid the price for our sins by becoming an atoning sacrifice so that the holiness of God can be satisfied. Jesus took our place of punishment. “God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ on the cross absorbed the wrath of God. It was a transaction between God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. God poured out His anger towards sin on Jesus Christ, and His wrath was fully satisfied. And because of that, the guilty sinner like you and I get to go free.
Sometimes we casually accept the death of Jesus, and I suspect, we may not fully grasp this truth. So spend time to meditate on His sacrifice for each one of us and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal such a great love for us.
God’s love for us is steadfast. It never changes. He not only loves you and I, but He loves us as we are. As we experience and accept His great love, we discover that our only desire is to love Him in return.
The Creator of heaven and earth has an abundant supply of His love to reach all the world for He IS LOVE. Let us share His love to those around us who have yet come to know Him as Lord and Saviour.
God bless you.
Larry
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