HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
John 3:16 (NKJV)
Love is mainly demonstrated through Giving and forgiveness. God demonstrated His love to mankind through the Giving of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for the Sin of mankind (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:1,2). God wanted to forgive
mankind his trespasses, but a penalty or sacrifice or propitiation or appeasement is needed. He had to release His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Sacrifice, appeasement or propitiation for the Sin of mankind:
1 MY LITTLE CHILDREN, THESE THINGS I WRITE TO YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN. AND IF ANYONE SINS, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS.
2 AND HE HIMSELF IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS, AND
NOT FOR OURS ONLY BUT ALSO FOR THE WHOLE WORLD" (1
John 2:1,2 NKJV).
The two major attributes of love are found in demonstration by God—through giving and forgiveness:
a. He gave His Son, as a sacrifice, that mankind might be forgiven of their sins: "FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE" (John 3:16 NKJV).
READ: 1 John 2:2
b. Those who believe in Him, Christ Jesus, would be forgiven their sins and be reconciled to God the Father (2 Corinthians 5:17,21).
Whoever is born—again should reciprocate God's love by rising for the salvation of those who are yet to be reconciled with God:
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
not imputing their trespasses to them, AND HAS COMMITTED TO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION. 20 NOW THEN, WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, AS THOUGH GOD WERE PLEADING THROUGH US: WE IMPLORE YOU ON CHRIST'S BEHALF, BE RECONCILED TO GOD" (2 Corinthians 5:19,20 NKJV).
God would not want anyone to perish (1 Timothy 2:3,4), and would not want the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, to be in vain on anyone. Thus, arise for the salvation of others.
Endeavour to witness the gospel to someone today.
Peace.