For God so loved the world

I am more than sure I have probably talked about this before (and it is not unknown for me to quote the save verse in different articles), but, I guess today, I want to have a reflective article.  Partially because I’m beyond scheduled (FYI, we have been without internet for two weeks because of Hurricane Helene, pray for those who live in paths of hurricanes). 

Before we get started, I've been putting audio versions of my Bible study, here, Coffee and Christianity: Episode 58: Abiding

Anyway, you’ve seen this verse at sportsball games, I guarantee it.  It’s a good verse (though, divorced of context, people think it means something other than it does). But, even in isolation, what it says is beautiful.  And, because I live in the Bible belt, we’re using the King James Version;

“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).  And this is such a good verse, that I have it as a refrigerator magnet. 

And v. 17, is awesome.  “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved”.

And that’s just it!  While you will be judged, that’s not why Jesus came.  Jesus came to save you from your sins.  While I’m not the greatest Christian, and I fall a thousand times a day, I have faith that, if I am sincerely repentant, and endure to the end (Matthew 24:13), that I will be saved.  As an aside, I am not saying that Catholics don’t need to avoid sacramental confession.  For some reason, a lot of Catholics think these are “Protestant verses”.

There is no such thing. 

Anyway, I guess what I’m saying is, I’m grateful to have a Saviour that saves me.  I’m grateful God loves me enough to send his only begotten Son to die for us.  I’m glad I have salvation in Christ. 

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community and host of the weekly Bible study, Coffee and Christianity