When the Bible says “For God so loved the world…” what does that actually mean?

The love that has come into the world in and through Jesus is far more significant and powerful than a warm, sentimental notion of affection.

● Agape looks like this:

- By this the love of God was manifested in us that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (payment that satisfies a debt) for our sins. John 4:9-10

- But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us…For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:8 & 10

● Agape compared to common love.

- In the notion of common love, the emotion or feeling determines our actions.

- Agape love, at its core, is defined by choice leading to actions.

- Agape love is a force that changes whatever it touches for the good.

- Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:8

- But now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13

● The Good News of Great Joy – God sent Love.

- Do not be afraid; I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

- God did this – He loved us with Agape love- not because of a fleeting emotion He felt. He did this because He is love and He has loved us out of the core of who He is not merely how He felt.

- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

- God sent me. John 8:42

- When God sent Jesus to be born into this world as a human being, it was an invasion of agape love.

- See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and we are! 1 John 3:1

Love produces Love

- Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

- We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

God’s selfless love for us produces in us the same kind of love for others.

As you exchange gifts and carry out the traditions unique to your families celebration of Christmas do so this year with a constant mindfulness that God has loved you with an everlasting, perfect love expressed fully and beautifully in the birth, the life, the death and resurrection of Jesus. As you take that in and let it wash over your soul, you will find yourself more and more aware of ways in which you can express this same kind of selfless, sacrificial love to others. Take those opportunities to do the most good you can to those around you – to those you purposefully and incidentally cross paths with. In this way you will be making the very most of your days as you bring love to bear on your world.

Having received the Perfect Love of God in Jesus, may we all go from here and bring that love to those who need it most