Advent Devotional: Make Room for JesusSample

Day 23: Make Room for Love

We’ve read much about God’s love over the last several days. We’ve seen that it’s unconditional, that it’s unfailing and that it never changes. Today as we read one of the most well-known verses in scripture, let’s take time to really look at the way God showed his love to the world.

"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:16-17

This truth is what motivated God’s plan of salvation. It’s what set the whole idea into motion of sending Jesus to the Earth. God’s great love prompted Him to take action. He saw we would be lost without a Savior and God didn’t want His children to be condemned. So He sent His son to be born among His creation. He desired for us to be redeemed and restored so we could spend eternity with Him. And He knew this was the only way to do it. God’s great love is what saved the world.

In fact, John wrote,

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” - 1 John 4:8

God’s love is so unimaginable that it not only defines what He does for us but who He is. There is no room for questions about how much he loves us. Everything He does or says is driven by love. The weight of John 3:16 should cause us to fall on our knees before our mighty God and thank him with all that we are for the greatest gift we could have ever received.

REFLECT:

• What does what we learn in John 3:16-17 teach us about God's character?
• If you have been given the gift of love through Jesus, what should this love drive you to do? Get specific.

Pray:

Pray and thank God by reading John 3:16 today out loud. Insert your name into the scripture as you thank Him. “For God so loved (your name) that He gave His one and only Son (for your name) that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but (your name) will have eternal life.” Thank Him for the marvelous sacrifice He made just for you.