By 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).
As I was driving to work- a couple of days ago- I was listening to a Christian music radio station. It was brought to my attention that the date for that day was 3/16. The announcer then said, “This is John 3:16 Day.” This was very fitting, because- when you really think about it- John 3:16 is the gold nugget of Scripture.
John 3:16 may be the most familiar verse to believers and non-believers alike. After all, how many times have we seen it on placards at televised football and baseball games? For sure, this one verse contains three important concepts regarding God: God’s love, God’s gift and God’s purpose.
God’s love is absolutely amazing. Before we were even thought about, He proved His love for us. We did nothing to deserve His love, yet He loved us anyway.
Romans 5:6-8 clarifies His love:
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
At times we have had people love us as long as we met their expectations. God loved us when we didn’t come close to approaching His standards.
Jesus is God’s gift to us. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice needed for the sins of the whole world. He is now alive and watching out for us as we advance through this life.
Finally, there is God’s purpose for us. He wants us to have eternal life and has provided the way for us to have it through His only Son. Jeremiah 29:11 declares God’s goodwill toward us: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
There is a line in an old song: “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.” Truly we have always been on the Lord’s mind because He has a purpose for us here and a home for us throughout eternity.
So when we think about John 3:16 let’s remember God’s love, God’s gift and God’s purpose for us. In fact, let’s make every day John 3:16 Day!
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 