“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
OUR TEXT emphasizes God’s wondrous love. The word “so” does not refer to the depth of God’s love. Rather, it means “like this or in this way.” How did God show His love for fallen humanity? In this way, “He gave His only begotten Son.” God demonstrated His love toward elect sinners when He gave His only begotten Son to be rejected and forsaken because of their sins (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13) so that they would not be forsaken. Simply stated, God gave His Son to their everlasting Hell. The Apostle Paul speaks of Christ in 2 Corinthians 9:15 as “God’s indescribable gift!”
HAVE YOU ever thought about everlasting Hell? Our sin deserves everlasting punishment in Hell, but because God loved the world our sins were imputed to God’s Son on the cross. We deserve the justice of God in the everlasting flames of Hell, but because God loved the world, He gave His Son that He might bear the punishment of all that were given to Him (John 6:37). This is the way that God manifested His love toward undeserving, rebellious, God-hating people. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
Tuesday Encouragement: February 3, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
