The Bible from Genesis to Revelation is the greatest story ever told. It tells how the Creator of the universe created the world and then man in his image to be part of his divine family. It tells the story of man’s creation, his fall and then the love story of redemption. There are certain bible verses that can sum up the story in single verse. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that all who believe in him would not perish but receive everlasting life.” Everything in life has a Cause, a Cost, a Condition and then a Consequence. John 3:16 has them all.
The Cause was simple: For God so loved the world! The Bible tells us that God not only loves, but that he is love and love motivates everything that he does. Much like parents must learn that sometimes love must be tough, but it is love, nevertheless. God directed his prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute even though she was unfaithful to demonstrate his unfailing love for people even when we are unfaithful. George Strait may have sung it best: It’s Love Without End Amen.
Next was the Cost. What did it cost God to redeem us from the everlasting darkness? It cost him everything. It cost him the death of his son! My friends, I have a son and if mankind’s salvation depended on me giving my son’s life for the sake of others, I can honestly say I cannot fathom how I could do it. Yet God did just that. The closest a man ever came was when Abraham walked Issac up to the top of the mountain and God spared him at the last minute. That is why Abraham is called the Father of Faith!
Next, we come to the Condition. What is the condition of our great salvation. Well, it’s so pure and simple that most people miss it or just can’t accept it and try to put something else in its place. The Condition is BELIEVE! In Acts 16:31, Paul was asked by his jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul’s answer was simple and straightforward: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” My friend the Bible is crystal clear we are saved by grace through faith, and it is not by any of our works less any of us should boast. (Ephesians 2:8) Choose to believe God at his word like Abraham and your faith will be accounted to you as righteousness. (Romans 4:3-5) Which leads us to the Consequences of God’s offering of his love through the giving of his son and our belief in his sacrifice and that is: Everlasting Life! Many people cannot accept God at his word about only believing and try to add human and religious efforts to the cost as if the sacrifice of his son wasn’t enough. My friends, when you truly believe everything changes! Your faith will change your life. Romans 10:13 declares, “All who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Call on Him today!
