Verse of the Day 5/15

Verse of the Day 5/15

John 3:35-36

English Standard Version

35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:16 is probably the most familiar, most quoted verse from the Bible, we all should know it, "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life".  Isaiah 55 issues the call "come to me", Jesus repeated the call in Matthew 11 "come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest."  God loves us so much that He offers grace and forgiveness, all we have to do is to "come to Him" , accept it, receive it and live, now and forever.

Jesus call does not discriminate, it goes out to all.  The question is who will respond.  Max Lucado writes: 

Aren't you glad the verse does not read: "For God so loved the rich . . ."?

Or, "For God so loved the famous . . ."? Or, "For God so loved the thin . . ."?

It doesn't. Nor does it state, "For God so loved the Europeans or Africans . . ." "the sober or successful . . ." "the young or the old . . ."

No, when we read John 3:16, we simply (and happily) read, "For God so loved the world" and whoever belives in Him.

The question is, will we receive His gift?  I'm reminded of the old hymn "Grace That is Greater Than Our Sin"

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
   Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
   Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
   There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
   • Refrain:
     Grace, grace, God's grace,
     Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
     Grace, grace, God's grace,
     Grace that is greater than all our sin!
2. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
   Freely bestowed on all who believe!
   You that are longing to see His face,
   Will you this moment His grace receive?

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

John 3:31-36

English Standard Version

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.