John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish… I. IN ITS SOURCE. God loved the world. 1. In its guilt, therefore His love was a love of benevolence. He could not take delight in it, but He did wish it well. 2. In its depravity. Therefore His love is self-moved — the world not as made by God, but as ruined by the devil; consequently there was nothing in it to attract the Divine love. 3. The world, not hell, consequently His love was sovereign-free as opposed to necessary. He could have loved fallen angels had such been His pleasure. But "He took not hold on angels, but the seed of Abraham." Why? "Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight." II. IN ITS MANIFESTATION, in — 1. The birth or incarnation of Jesus Christ (1 John 4:9). This did not engender or excite His love, it only manifested it. 2. In His death or atonement (1 John 4:10). The Divine love is not the effect, but the cause. The gods of heathenism received but never gave sacrifices. 3. In the Person of the only begotten Son of God. III. IN ITS DESIGN. 1. It has in view the salvation of every individual. 2. It offers to every individual the supremest, most precious blessing God Himself can bestow. (1) Endless life. (2) The very life of God Himself. 3. It offers the supremest blessings on the easiest, cheapest terms. God the Father had a great deal to do, and God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost; but man has nothing to do but to believe. (J. Cynddylan Jones, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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