Reflections on The Great Conversation: A Focus on God’s Love for the World
Thursday, March 6, 2008
This morning I decided to re-read the Great Conversation directly from the Bible. I had made the mistake of of relying solely upon the account of Max Lucado in his fine book, 3:16 . . The Numbers of Hope. Every once in a while I am reminded that as great as some devotional books may be… and God has used this one mightily in my life, they are still but a shadow of God’s word.
I have spent time this morning thinking about why the study of John 3:16 has meant so much. I have realized that for one reason or another much of my appreciation for my salvation focused on my personal conduct being at odds with God’s Word and God saving me from my sins. Yet the reason I have been so touched by John 3:16 is because of the focus that Jesus places on the love of God and because of that love, God gave… and because the only way God could save the world He loved involved an eternal sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world, God gave His son.
My salvation is not rooted in the belief that I trust God for the forgiveness of my sins…. although that statement is of course true. This study of John 3:16 has made me appreciate that any relationship with God is rooted in acknowledging and trusting in God’s love for me.