Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” We will close out the week with one final message on John 3:16, concluding two weeks on this verse. Let’s get back to it.
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 will focus in on the fact that God loves YOU!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God’s motivation is love.
a) God sent His Son to die for us because He loves us. His Son did it, because He loves us. His Spirit lives in us, because He loves us.
b) Love is not something God has, or God does, love is actually who God is! God is love.
2. You are the target of God’s love.
a) God is not out to get you. He is out to bless you!
b) God loves you unconditionally. His love was poured out for you on the cross and His love is being poured out for you daily.
c) The day you believe the love of God, receive it, and embrace, will be the day you are changed forever. You are not changed by scriptures in the Bible, you are not changed by the promises God made you, you are changed by the love of God poured into your heart.
3. John knew what it was like to be the target of God’s love.
a) The writer of John 3:16 knew a thing or two about God’s love. Several places in the Bible, he referred to himself as the disciple Jesus loved. Let’s take a look at a few of these references:
“One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.” (John 13:23).
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son?” (John 19:26).
“So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved,and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:2).
“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” (John 21:7).
“Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) (John 21:20).
b) John called himself the ‘one Jesus loved’. He fully embraced the love of God. The day you do is the day you will be changed.
*** I’ll talk more about this last point next week, but in our confession for today, we are going to try what John did. Let’s call ourselves the one God loves and see what it does for us.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. Not because I am so good, but because I am the one You love. I am Your favorite. I am Your beloved. I am being loved by You daily. I am the target of Your love. I am the apple of Your eye. I am Your pride and joy. I am Your son/daughter, the one You love, the one You chose to bless from the foundations of the world. So I enter this day as the one You love and Your love changes me forever! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
