Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: Jesus is love's priceless gift
Today's devotion continues on the subject of love with this thought, "Love's Priceless Gift," and my text is John 3:14-17, where we read, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (KJV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son," reveals that no greater gift has ever been given and no greater gift could ever be given. The gift of God's salvation is available to "whosoever will," and nowhere in God's Word will you find that salvation is only available to a select group of predestined people. God includes ALL!
Millions of people all around this world today claim to be "seeking the light" and "searching for truth" when God's Word declares in John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (KJV) In John 8:12, we also read these precious words, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (KJV) If you haven't already arrived at the clear conclusion, please know that Jesus Christ is love's priceless gift! The grace of God toward sinners like you and me is the "unmerited or unearned love of God" found only in receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. In Ephesians 2:8-9, these beautiful words are given to sinners needing saving grace, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (KJV)
Sad to say, but not everyone will accept this priceless gift of love from the heart of God. Many today will reject it quietly as they go on living their life thinking that they are "good enough" or maybe feeling as though they really don't need what an antiquated book like the Bible has to offer them anyway. Also sad to say, but others will react with belligerence, having an aggressive or even hostile attitude toward love's priceless gift. But the believer should never be ashamed or afraid, for God promises in Isaiah 55:11, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (KJV) I ask you today to please value the priceless love of God toward you by the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ.
Joey Durham is pastor at Open Bible Baptist Church at 180 Old Manning Road in Sumter. You can contact Pastor Durham at durham.joey@yahoo.com or call the church office at (803) 481-9315.