Do You Love Me?
As probably the most memorized scripture in the Bible for protestant believers, John 3:16 is also the most overlooked in its criticality and impact to the Christian life! I fully understand why it was traditionally what was offered as the first verse to memorize. If you did not remember any other verse in the Bible, remembering this scripture would still allow you to find a way to eternal life.
Believe in Jesus and you can be quickened to eternal existence and life by the grace and mercy of God!
It is oversimplified but essentially true. However, there is another component of this scripture that MUST be acknowledged and internalized in order for its “instant salvation” nature to take place.
This component is LOVE!!!
John 3:16 not only hits on the LOVE of God as other scriptures do, but it also goes as far as to touch on the EXTENT of God’s LOVE which is unique to this verse. “For God SO LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son….” The greatest gift was given all because of LOVE. Then the reason why it was the greatest gift is because it allowed WHOSOEVER to be saved!!! That’s us…those who are not Jews…those who are not perfect. A LOVE great enough for EVEN ME!!!!!
