From the events that took place in man’s original rebellion against the Creator, we learn something about the incredible goodness and love of God.

Revelation 13:8 tells us that there was a “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

John 3:16 informs us that that Lamb was none other than Jesus the Son of God who had already pledged, before sin ever happened, to pay the price of sin to save those who would accept His sacrifice on their behalf.

“God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” is, to my thinking, the BEST KNOWN and yet one of the LEAST UNDERSTOOD verses in all the Bible!

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:19, tells us that: “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” When we speak of the process of reconciliation we see two parties who are at odds with one another brought together in peace again. In this process, it is necessary for the party who has done wrong to CEASE doing wrong! The problem is that sin has done so much damage to the human psyche that it became impossible for him, in his own strength, to come into harmony with God.

Here again Jesus comes to the rescue! When we accept Him as our Saviour, He not only forgives us, but also EMPOWERS us to become LIKE Him.

John tries to help us see this when He explains:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, NOW we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3)

This is in no sense of the word “earning our way.” It is simply responding to His incredible love by allowing Him to live out His life in us and “trying to stay out of His way” as He does the renovations needed for us to look like Him!  What a Friend we have in Jesus!!

Have a great day!