| 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.” |
This is probably the most famous verse in the Bible, and one of the first you memorized as a child. Outside of church, you have likely seen it on billboards or on signs at a football game. These are such familiar words, but what do they truly mean?
I was fortunate to grow up in a home with two loving Christian parents. I heard from an early age about God and his love, but I hadn’t made the connection between “God so loved the world” and “God loves ME.” When I was about 12 years old, we had special services at our church – one preached the sermon while the other did chalk drawings.
One evening the sermon was about sin and I became convicted about the things I had done wrong in my life and some poor attitudes I had. But then the speaker explained about God’s love – not just for the world as a whole but for ME! Even if I was the only person on earth Jesus would have died on the cross, just for me!
I was overwhelmed with a mixture of gratitude and unworthiness. I went to the altar and after confessing my sins, I asked Jesus to live in my heart and fill me with his love. That was more than 50 years ago but, in my mind, I can still see that tiny country church and feel my knees on the wooden floor. But more than anything, I can feel God’s love around me, welcoming me into a personal relationship with him.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for loving me. Even on my best days I am unworthy of such sacrificial love. Help me to live a life worthy of your love for me, and to share that love with the world around me. Amen.
– Betty Gossell
