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40 DAYS OF LENT: DAY #17
WORD OF TODAY: John 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:
We begin the week, on this 17th day of Lent, with a very familiar portion of Scripture. There is much hope for God’s creatures here in these words, and in the Truth it contains.
Do you ever wonder if God established righteousness in order that we be found guilty and condemned in our unrighteousness? Is this like a “gotcha” thing that God is playing with creation, lurking in the heavens waiting to punish every sinful thought and action? There are many wounded in believing this lie. You may be one of them. If so, hear the Word of today again and meditate on its depth and breadth of meaning.
God doesn’t desire anyone to be condemned, and God does not desire creation to be stricken with the horrors of condemnation. Furthermore, there is no depth of sin too deep for Christ Jesus to pull you out of, and no wound He cannot heal.
Today consider the questions that are present within you, the whispers of Satan that beg you to consider if you can be forgiven, and if you will be forgiven, from all of your wretchedness. Then read God’s Word again. Today consider the wounds of the world that you are deceptively encouraged to believe they are the product of God, and not the product of a corrupted and sinful world (as they actually are). Then read God’s Word again. Meditate on God’s love for you.