THE THREE WONDERS OF GOD'S LOVE

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)

 As children we read "Alice in Wonderland," but at the end of life we shall still find ourselves in Wonderland! Perhaps there is a deeper truth than we know in the description of old age as a second childhood, because the child spirit ever lives in a paradise of mystery, questioning and wonder!

There are causes for wonder in the small compass of this verse! The first is that God loved and loves the world. We are not surprised to learn that He made the world, because, except where men have spoilt it, it is so beautiful. Or that He has a name for it, because He called them all by name, as He brings out their hosts by number. So small is our world amid the myriad of constellations, but nevertheless it is belted, environed, encompassed by the love of God!

The second wonder is that the only begotten Son came to dwell with us. Isn't it wonderful that the Son of God should have passed by all other worlds, and come to this. That this earth was walked on by His blessed feet; that He has incorporated its transfigured dust into the texture of His divine nature. This is all so wonderful, that we are disposed to believe that our world must be the pivot of the universe, its nursery, college, and training ground.

The third wonder is that eternal life is within the reach of whosoever. The A.V. gives the word "everlasting," but the R.V. translates it as "eternal." God gives us not quantity but quality of life. Time is a method of thought necessitated by our human limitations, and therefore some day will come to its end. Eternal life is an ever present now, of love and life and light, enjoyed in fellowship with God. And this is for whosoever! Each of us may insert his or her name in the blank, and say, "that I may have eternal life." It is so wonderful, that the thought could not have been invented or suggested by the wit of man. It bears the imprint and seal of God Himself, who made us in His image, and after His likeness, that we might become the partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (Genesis 1:26; 2 Peter 1:4)

PRAYER

The world is dear unto You, Heavenly Father; You sent Your only Son to save it, and Your Spirit to comfort and renew. May He brood over the chaos of this distracted and darkened world. May order, peace, and love reign among men through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #276:
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love My Son, Jesus.

John 17:23 (WEB)
I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one;
that the world may know that you sent me,
and loved them, even as you loved me.