John 3:16

John 3:16 has taken a whole new meaning. As Christians, we have read this scripture, memorized it, and written it on our foreheads, cheeks (Tim Tibow). But it wasn’t until recently, as I read this verse that tears just ran down my face. You see, I’ve been reading the Bible from cover to cover. I decided that I was no longer going to depend on what others taught. My salvation and my walk with God had to be personal, meaning I was going to read it myself, to study it, so like Jesus said in Matthew 24:5 “take heed that no man deceive you for many will come in my name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many”. In Galatians 1:8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”    I decided that it was time to stop playing church, to stop being fed like a baby. It was time to eat spiritual food, to grow, and know personally what the Word of God had to say for our lives.

As I began to read the old testament, I began to learn about God’s chosen people. I began to learn about the covenant God made with Abraham , Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). Then I realized that I would never be part of that covenant; however, the lessons I learned were priceless. I pondered on the beautiful honor to be God’s original chosen people. The bible says, “blessed are those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse them”. However, this is not my story, nor will it ever be. Then as the scripture John 3:16 came to my mind, tears began to flow. You see, I may not be from Abraham’s bloodline nor Israel, God’s chosen people, but He did choose me.  He chose me, not my culture nor ethnicity, He chose me. The bible says He is the God that tests the hearts of man and that God sees the heart, man sees the appearance.

Then I spoke this scripture again outloud,  John 3:16 “For God so loved the World, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life”.  You see, God loves the World. Every single person, every single culture, and ethnicity. He is our creator. He loved the whole World that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us, to take our place. God is not a God of partiality. It doesn’t matter if you are Native American, Indian, Arabic, Jewish, Asian, Spanish, French, Italian, or black, white, yellow, red, you can be saved, redeemed, forgiven, and be called His Own. There’s only One way to the Father and that’s through Jesus Christ.

I sat crying and thinking, God chose me. He sought after my heart, he rescued me from my sin and shame. He filled me with the Holy Spirit, He redeemed Me and called me His own! I’m no longer my own but I am daughter of the King! He called me His own. He chose me, my husband, my children. He chose my parents and siblings. And He is the God who relentlessly pursues us. He puts people in our heart so that we can pray for them, He sends people our way so we can share Jesus in any way. He chose me and because He chose me, I will follow Him. Because He chose me, I will walk righteously and keep His commandments. Because He chose me, if I fall 7 times, I will get up 7 times as I repent and promise to change, because He chose me!

I don’t know about you but no one ever loved me so much that they were willing to die for me except Jesus. He did just that. In John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him”. 

Jesus said, John 14:6 ” I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goest to the Father but by Me”. Jesus isn’t Jesus because He said a few fancy words, He’s Jesus the Son of the Living God because of His works, His actions, His knowledge, His healings, His compassion, His kindness, His mercy, and that He rose from the dead with countless witnesses testifying of this. Even until this day people still can’t stop talking about Jesus. You can’t shut it up, you can’t hide it because once you know the Truth and sit in His presence, there’s no emotion that could EVER compare.

God offers salvation only through Jesus Christ. It’s free. Like that song says, you couldn’t earn it, we don’t deserve it” but if you say these words “Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died for my sins and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and be my king, my Lord & Savior. I will follow you all the days of my life.” If you said these words, congratulations, you have just entered into the Fold. You are children of God, forgiven, redeemed and restored. Life is just getting interesting.