“God so loved . . that whoever believes in Him . . will have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT
“Love is not unique to God, but God’s love is unique.”
My thoughts and comments today are about “the greatest gift.”
Aren’t gifts wonderful? I admire folks like my wife and daughter who are great gift givers. They don’t just buy a present; they carefully, thoughtfully choose a gift personally selected for the delight and pleasure of the recipient. They have a gift for gift giving.
God is a great gift giver. What would be God’s greatest gift? Many answers could be given as to the greatest gift He has given. He gave us life. He gives us forgiveness. He gives salvation. He gives eternal life. He gives us His fellowship. The Apostle Paul exuberantly wrote, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV. And the Father gave us His Son as Savior!
There is a verse that may well be the more familiar of all, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT. The familiarity of that verse caused me to long overlook something. Yes, Father God gave Jesus, His Son, and through Him gives eternal life to any who will believe – immeasurable gifts without debate.
But as I recently read that familiar verse, I noticed a simple cause and effect; obviously, cause precedes effect. The effect is the gift of His Son and eternal life. But I would suggest that the cause which precedes is the greatest of gifts – “God so loved the world that He gave . .” God loved you before He gave salvation. God loved you before He gave eternal life. God first gave you His heart; then He gave you His Son. See Romans 8:32 NASV. The Bible describes, “God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.” Ephesians 2:4 NASV.
God’s greatest gift may well be the love that prompts and precedes all else He gives. Love beyond mortal comprehension prompted the sacrifice of His Son for sinners, and His sacrifice afforded the offer of eternal life. Life without love is not living. Life without God’s love is not life at all.
Paul marveled at the expansive dimensions of God’s love, “. . how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is . . though it is so great you will never fully understand. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power . .” Read Ephesians 3:17-21 NLT. It makes sense that God’s greatest gift would correspond to man’s greatest need? “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NKJV. The common need of every person – young or old – is the need for absolute love; who but God can truly supply that measure of unchanging love?
Here are three truths I believe about love: “Love is a choice clearly made with behavior constant and consistent with that decision . . Love is the accurate estimate and adequate supply of another’s need . . Love, to be authentic, must be practical and observable.” Is there any besides the love of God that fulfills those? Love is not unique to God, but God’s love is unique.
What makes love God’s greatest gift? (1) Jesus loves you exactly as God loves Jesus. Read John 15:9 NIV. But lest you think this is some second-hand love passed on to you. (2) Father God loves you exactly as He loves Jesus. Read John 17:23/26 NIV. That is love like no other, found only in God and His Son, Jesus. You won’t know love until you know Jesus.
My prayer for you today is that you know love that exceeds understanding.