From the Pulpit: Behold, God’s love for you

1 John3:1a says: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” This is one of the greatest sentences in all the Bible describing the assurance we can have when we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Because we have trusted in Jesus, we are called God’s children and we are in fact, children of God!

John tells us to “See” this truth, or better translated “Behold”! Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins are to take a look at (behold) the love of the Father in saving them. We are to stop and fix our minds on this mind-blowing love of God for us! To behold is a command to look at and to keep looking at. It is a command to fix your eyes on the subject. It is a command to focus on and meditate on the subject. What is the subject? The love of God for us.

It is sheer grace that God would love us! It is an astounding fact that God calls sinners like us his children! Christians are called on to “see” or “behold” the love of God for them. It is love that one translation says is “lavished” on us. God has lavished his love on us! God’s love is the only explanation for sinners being called children of God.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The Bible tells us that no one seeks after God on their own. The Bible tells us that sinful people cannot earn salvation. The Bible tells us that unless we repent of our sins and turn in faith to Jesus we cannot be saved.

We are sinful, but God has loved us! Romans 5:8—”but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We see God’s love for us most clearly in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus, who is fully God, came to this earth 2000 years ago and became fully Man. Jesus lived a perfect life, without sin. Jesus died the death you and I deserve because of our sin. After dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus rose from the dead. He is the Living Lord of the Universe and He is the one and only Savior! The Bible says that salvation with God is only found in him! 

Have you put your faith in Jesus for salvation? Have you received God’s free gift of salvation by embracing Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If you have, you are a child of God! And the apostle John says we are to behold the love of God for us! It is a miracle of grace that we can call our Creator, “Father!” Stop and take a good look at this love of God! Behold! 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” Behold God’s love for you!