This month we are taking a brief break from our study in Acts in order to focus on the themes of Christmas, or the coming of Christ into our world to save us and give us new life. This morning we are examining one of the most popular and well-known passages of the Bible – John 3:16-21 – and asking the question, "What is our personal responsibility toward God and toward the Gospel?"
To be loved by anyone is a precious thing that calls us to answer love for love, and faith for faith. This is especially true about God's love. The psalmist said "Deep calls to deep" (Psalm 42:7), and it is the deepness of the love of God for us, a love that comes from his very heart and nature, that calls us to love him from the depths of our hearts in return. We have a responsibility to know about God's love for us, and not only to know about it, but to act upon it. Because God loves us, we must think and act in a certain way – thinking always precedes doing.
Love changes us for the better. We share God's love through being kind and gracious and generous. Love also gives us power and energy to do the right thing. We care about this world, about the souls that are in it, about the lost, the sick, the poor, the fearful, and the hurting, because God's love calls us to care. I pray that today the love of God will touch you in a personal and meaningful way.
