Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We have been looking at John 3:16 for over a week now. In my last message I told you that God’s goodness is SO good that it sometimes seems ‘too good to be true’. But it is true! Glory to God! Let’s go back to John 3:16 this morning and continue to receive from God.
The Apostle John said, “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 KJV). Today I want to go back and focus in on the words, “whosoever believeth in him,” again. Today’s message is entitled, “Everyone is a candidate.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The offer has been made.
a) The Father sent the Son to die for us. Jesus did it. The debt had been paid. Eternal life has been secured. There is a standing offer of eternal life for everyone who believes in Jesus makes Him their Lord.
b) God doesn’t have to do anything else in order to give you eternal life. He did His part. Now you must do yours. You must receive the gift.
2. The offer for eternal life still stands.
a) God said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev 3:20). Guess what? God is still knocking. If you have not opened the door, please do so today.
b) The gift of eternal life through Christ is a standing offer to everyone person on this planet. But like any gift, people must receive it.
3. The offer of eternal life is for everyone everywhere.
a) God does not discriminate. God so loved the kosmos that He sent His Son to die for every ethnos. This means: God loved the entire planet enough to send His Son to die for everyone on it. Every race, every people group and every nation on the planet are targets of God’s love.
b) Since God loved everyone everywhere, and God lives in us, we are supposed to love everyone everywhere as well! We are called and commanded to be emissaries of His love in this world; and God’s love does not discriminate.
4. You have not disqualified yourself.
a) I sometimes run into people who “feel” like they have done so many bad things that God has turned His back on them, that God no longer loves them, and that they are too far from saving. This could not be further from the truth.
b) Satan wants us to feel condemned when we do something wrong. If we feel condemned, we run away from God. God wants us to feel convicted, not condemned; not convicted of our sin, but rather convicted of our righteousness. The Holy Spirit does not come to beat you down for what you did wrong. He comes to tell you how Jesus made you right. The Holy Spirit wants you to be convicted by God’s love, to the point where you RUN BACK TO HIM!
c) Nothing you do can disqualify you from God’s love or His plans for your life. Why? Because you never qualified in the first place. Jesus qualified for you. You did nothing to make God start loving you, and nothing you can do will make Him stop. You did nothing to cause God to make plans for you and nothing you can do will make Him take the plans back. This is why the Bible says, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). The word irrevocable here means exactly what you think it means!
d) God’s love for you is endless. His dedication to you is tireless. But since He will not force Himself upon you, you must receive Him, receive His love, receive eternal life through Christ Jesus, and receive the plans He made for you before the world began. You receive this all by faith. You do it because of God’s grace. Not because you are so good, but because He is!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. Not because I am so good, but because I realized that was a candidate for Your best. You were standing at the door and knocking. I opened the door. I let You in. I made Jesus my Lord. I received the gift of eternal life. I now receive, believe and pursue the plans You made for me before the world began. When I make a mistake, I don’t wallow in condemnation. I am quick to repent, to receive forgiveness, to forgive myself, and to keep going. Nothing shall stop me from becoming the man/woman I was called to be. I live by faith and I do it because You love me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
