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THE GOSPEL
When you read one of the most well known verses of the New Testament, John 3:16, you see that it says, “God so loved the world.” As the nursery hymn reminds us, “the bible tells me so,” and so we believe and trust in the infallible word of God that tells us the love of God is like nothing else, or we don’t. Either place is okay! The fact that you are reading this means that you are seeking to understand more (May God bless you on this journey). So, what if you started your reading of John 3:16 instead at, “He gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,”? Is there anything in that statement that says to you that this is not an act of love?
I would like to think we could agree to say no, because to lay down a life for another, whether viewing it through the lens of biblical theology or human nature, is an honorable act of great love. So why is “God so loved the world,” so significant? Because it reminds us of who God’s love and kindness is for. You. Me. Everyone. The world. It is one thing to know and think that we are loved, it is an entirely different thing to be told with complete sincerity, “I love you.” And that’s the gospel.
The word gospel is one that is very commonly used within the Christian language. In one word it profoundly declares the condescension of Christ from his throne in heaven to lowly stable on earth, his perfect life as a man, the cross upon which he died for our sins, his resurrection from the grave defeating death, his ascension into heaven as the only worthy King and our redemption and justification by grace, through faith alone. All of that is truth, truth, wonderful truth, yet still perhaps only information without this foundational imperative. Jesus loves you. So much so that he gave himself up, that whoever believes in him would never die, but rise from death to live with him forever.
If we want to know, share, believe the gospel, then begin today with ‘Jesus love me.’ A sure truth you can find hope in.
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Citizens & Saints began as a Seattle-based church band arranging hymns and eventually writing gospel songs for their church to sing. The band leader Zach Bolen’s desire is to write songs deeply rooted in the transformative word of God. We hope these next 7 days of walking through The Overflow devotional will enrich and remind you how much God’s word continually speaks of His love for His people.
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