John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“
Ephesians 3:17-19
“…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
God’s agape love is perhaps the attribute that most often draws fallen men to Him, yet is also often misunderstood to be a feel-good “everything and everyone is okay” concept. A key to understanding His love is the word “so” in John 3:16. The Greek definition for “so” is “in this manner/way.”* The way God loves the world is through the gift of His Son. It is not through a general laissez-faire overlooking of sin and one’s opinions regarding how salvation may be obtained. Therefore, an individual who rejects the Biblical gospel has no claim to the love of God.
God’s love continues throughout the believer’s life. Jesus said in John 15:9, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be rooted (like a plant), grounded (have the foundation of), comprehend (seize tightly) the four dimensions of, and know (personally understand) the love of Christ. And yet, no matter how long a believer has walked with God, His love still “passes knowledge.” May Paul’s prayer find resonance in each of our lives today.
1. Pray for every member of this church to know the love of Christ today, and be filled with all the fullness of God.
2. Minot, North Dakota, is home to an important US Air Force Base. Pray for all the master sergeants and their families to begin or grow in their interaction with and understanding of the love of God.
3. Pray for a single mom in Minot who has memorized John 3:16 but never personally believed in Jesus to do so this week.
* Though “so” is commonly thought of in the sense of “Wow, it’s amazing His love went to this extent,” this is not what John 3:16 is referencing. That is an authentic reaction to God’s love, but other verses better describe that concept. (Thanks to Bill Hall for explaining this word/idea.)
