Lenten Daily Devotional 2022
Monday, March 7
Day 6: God So Loved the World
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
“God so loved the world…”
So begins the most familiar and memorized verse in the Bible. It offers us the greatest promise that could ever be made: If we believe in Jesus, we will have everlasting life.
But, what does it mean to believe in Him and have eternal life?
Does it mean to believe that he actually existed? To believe that he was a great teacher? To believe that he could heal people? To believe that he died?
The reality is, all those things are true – and many in the world, including non-Christians, believe them. But believing in Him is much more than that.
Thirteen verses earlier in this chapter, Jesus says this: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Being born again happens when you not only believe that Jesus existed, but that He is God the Son, that He came to earth in human form to save us, that He died on the cross, was buried and on the third day rose from the Dead – and that you are declaring and receiving him as Lord and Savior.
But wait, there’s more: Consider Jesus’ sobering warning after those life-changing words in John 3:16:
“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
What do we do with these verses in this season leading up to Easter?
If you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, what better time than now to be born again and receive the gift of eternal life? Or if you’ve already done that, what better time to recommit your life to him?
And if you know someone who hasn’t been born again – and who, this scripture tells us, stands condemned forever – what better time than now to share Jesus with them, that they, like you, would make him Lord and Savior and have eternal life?
--Mark Vasché
So begins the most familiar and memorized verse in the Bible. It offers us the greatest promise that could ever be made: If we believe in Jesus, we will have everlasting life.
But, what does it mean to believe in Him and have eternal life?
Does it mean to believe that he actually existed? To believe that he was a great teacher? To believe that he could heal people? To believe that he died?
The reality is, all those things are true – and many in the world, including non-Christians, believe them. But believing in Him is much more than that.
Thirteen verses earlier in this chapter, Jesus says this: “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
Being born again happens when you not only believe that Jesus existed, but that He is God the Son, that He came to earth in human form to save us, that He died on the cross, was buried and on the third day rose from the Dead – and that you are declaring and receiving him as Lord and Savior.
But wait, there’s more: Consider Jesus’ sobering warning after those life-changing words in John 3:16:
“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
What do we do with these verses in this season leading up to Easter?
If you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, what better time than now to be born again and receive the gift of eternal life? Or if you’ve already done that, what better time to recommit your life to him?
And if you know someone who hasn’t been born again – and who, this scripture tells us, stands condemned forever – what better time than now to share Jesus with them, that they, like you, would make him Lord and Savior and have eternal life?
--Mark Vasché
Prayer Focus: Pray for someone you know that does not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
If you never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you can do it today!
The following explains how you can receive Christ:
You Can Receive Christ Right Now by Faith Through Prayer (Prayer is talking with God) God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.
The following is a suggested prayer: "Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be."
If you prayed this prayer today, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at [email protected] or let Pastor Tim know by contacting the church office at 527-5441.
Thought or comment to share?
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Go to Centenary’s Lenten Daily Devotional Group on Facebook.
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