John 3:16
“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.”
We see the object of salvation in John 3:16. God had so loved the world – a place where He knew His only begotten Son would be despised, rejected, and oppressed by it; a planet filled with sin which God absolutely cannot bear. Yet despite all the reasons clearly pointing out the flaws of sinners, God still loved the world, and rather than waiting for us to turn to Him, He instead made the first move, and gave His Son for us. Salvation does not only encompass the deliverance of sin or the experience of personal holiness. Rather, salvation that comes from God surrounds the fact that you and I are delivered from our fallen state, and now have perfect union with Him.
Christ has shown humanity the definition of absolute surrender. He has completely and absolutely given Himself for us. Similarly, we too need to surrender our all to God – totally, unconditionally, and without reservation. We tend to fear the consequences and circumstances of total surrender. But God’s blessings can and will outweigh these fears, and bring us into a state of bliss that can only be found in Him.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday remind us that we are not our own. Christ has purchased us through His blood on the cross of Calvary. Even as we think of our Lord’s death and sacrifice, God’s great love should increasingly resonate in our hearts and in our souls. We are His beloved, now and forevermore, and we should surrender our all to Him. As much as God has given the best gift to all mankind, so should we give of our best to the Master.
Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration,
Give Him the best that you have.
by Howard B. Grose