Sacred Simplicity

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”—John 3:16

There is no more well known verse in the entirety of Scripture than John 3:16. There is no verse more quoted, more widely known, more displayed in houses, recited by children’s Sunday school classes, and posterized at sporting events. Even the worst unbeliever is at least familiar with its content. It is so simple, eloquent, and pregnant with truth. For within its letters is the meaning of life. God loved us. He set His love upon us. That’s staggering.

How could God love us? It’s easy to think about theoretically, but imagine for a moment the first time you discovered that someone loved you. I think back to the moment that my future wife said she loved me for the very first time. There was this unbelievable feeling that covered my soul. I felt as if I had been brought in from winter and a warm blanket was placed around me. I had never known such wondrous acceptance, such unbelievable vulnerability, and such overwhelming amazement. How could the most beautiful and amazing woman I have ever met, actually love me? I was in disbelief and I must confess something…I still am. I can’t believe that she loves me. Now, let’s take it up a notch. Humanly speaking the love between a husband and wife is the most powerful love there is, as Solomon wrote, “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD”—Song of Solomon 8:6.

The love of a man for a woman or a woman for a man is powerful. But God’s love—that’s infinitely more so. That God could love us is beyond my ability to comprehend. And to know that He not only decided to lavish His love upon us, but willingly gave His one and only Son. I have a son and I love him fiercely. And I can honestly say, there is no way that I would give him for you. No way. And I definitely wouldn’t give him for you if you were my enemy. And according to the Scripture that is exactly what we are to God—His enemies (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-5)—and He still gave His Son to bring about our salvation.

The truth that God gave His Son for us is so simple that a child can understand. And it is so holy…so sacred, and so unbelievable, that we dare not gloss it over. To know that God would do something like that reveals how serious His love is. And to neglect such an act, to ignore it, or marginalize it is to invite a response that is in exact proportion to His love—which is His wrath. And the only way to remove oneself from His wrath is to embrace His Son. As Paul wrote, “…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved”—Romans 10:9-10.

The sacred simplicity of the Gospel is available to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. Have you repented of your sins and trusted in Christ? If not, don’t wait any longer! As Paul wrote, “For He says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation”—2 Corinthians 6:2.

He loved you so much that He gave His Son to die for you! Don’t neglect it! Don’t ignore it! And don’t wait! Place your faith in Him, if you haven’t already done so, today! Amen.