| It is written in God's word, "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" (John 3:16). People who believe with the heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, absolutely shall be filled with holy spirit (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:4). They are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb and become one of God's righteous saints. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that every person who believes, should not perish, but have everlasting life. Notice that God loved the world, and that God gave life. John 1:17 shines more light on God's love, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." True grace came by Jesus Christ. This perfectly fits Galatians 3:8-14, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law..." (v. 13b). Our salvation is not by the law of God that was passed down to Moses, but by the true grace of God that came by Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus Christ laid down his life for the brethren, so also should we lay down our lives. Not as dead, but living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Because God loved, He gave life everlasting to all who believe. God is the giver of life. Contrary to popular doctrine, God is not the giver of death, but of life. John 10:10 perfectly reveals this distinction, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." This life originates from God the Father. It was God who gave life to His beloved son. It was God who gave life to Lazarus. And it was God in heaven who put life back into the dead body of Jesus Christ. Those who enjoy reading and studying the Bible will probably notice an apparent contradiction here. Throughout the Old Testament, there are plenty of scriptural references which show God killing and harming people. In truth, there is no contradiction. The problem rests in the interpretation of the scriptures without an understanding of the figures of speech being used. In the book Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, author E.W. Bullinger explains that figures of speech are God's way to emphasize something, and are not to be interpreted literally. They were the linguistic tools of the Hebrews. One of the figures is called "condescension." In short, it ascribes human and earthly attributes to God. The Bible is filled with these beautiful linguistic tools. Another figure employed is the Idiom. Paricularly an Idiom of permission, where the one who allows the event to occur is put for the one who actually causes the event. God did not leave His people ignorant concerning the origin of death and destruction. We also have His word in Job 1:6-12 to show us exactly who causes death, and who allows it to occur. An intense study on this subject helps to build confidence and trust in the integrity of God's word, so that we can learn to truly know God's perfect love. |
| The Love of God...John 3:16 By Timothy W. Burnett |