For God so Loved the World - John 3:16

John 3:16 is probably the most popular verses of the Bible. You can find it on bumper stickers, in e-mail signatures, and even on billboards. But why is this verse so popular? This message has been so advertised because it so elegantly sums up God's plan for mankind.

The stage for the verse is set in 6 simple yet powerful words: "For God so loved the world". Now, we've heard the word 'love' so much that it's almost hard to know what it means. In order to clarify, often a willingness to do an action or deed follows that helps one understand just how big that love is.

We do it all of the time. You might hear someone say, "I'd kill for..." or "it's to die for". Those expressions came about because we all understand that life has value. But notice that while we make grandiose statements to explain our love, God showed the seriousness of His love by following through with promises.

He clarifies His love not by telling us what He might do, but what He did do; He gave His only begotten Son. God understands the value we place on life, and so used that ultimate treasure to communicate to us just how much we are loved by Him.

But our Father didn't give up His Son just to prove that He loved us, He did so to give us a gift. The importance of life is once again illustrated with it being the motivation for His sacrifice. His Son was given up so that anyone can be given eternal life through belief that Jesus was the Christ and that He died for their sins.

God is serious about His love for us and He displayed it through pure and merciful sacrifice. How stands our love for God? Are we willing to give up even a portion of what was given to us? Make the decision now to believe in Him who has given you such a wonderful opportunity. Read His Word and learn the steps to salvation.