Only Son

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God… God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-11

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  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.” John 3:16-17

What manner of love is this? God sent His only Son into the world, the world they had created together side by side, to save their people gone astray. This only Son, begotten of the Father, condescended from glory to give His life for the sake of their lost children. His only Son came to procure many sons (and daughters) for the family of God. (Genesis 1:1,26-27; Proverbs 8:24-31; John 1:1-3,9-13)

What a picture of love! God’s heavenly, divine love manifest in flesh! God come down as man, atoning for my sin! This kind of love should astound and humble us- who are we to be so loved? Is our proper response to God not worship for such selfless, priceless love that is His nature and passion? This kind of love should also inspire us. We love in pale compared to God, yet drawing from His pure and selfless life-giving love for us, we can learn to love in return and with abandon. Are we so determined? (Psalm 8:3-5; Isaiah 43:1-4)

When have we experienced a kindness, service, or particular care from an individual that caused us to feel loved by the Lord? What examples of Christlike love can we emulate by beginning to put them into practice within our homes, among friends, communities, church? Contemplating the exquisite gift of an only son, what of great value might the Lord be calling me to sacrifice for the eternal sake of another? What of my time, my resources, my very heart and care am I eager to expend? How willing am I to step out in faith to do so, and thereby experience God’s unmatchable blessing? (Genesis 22:1-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:8)

“What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, O my soul!
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.” ~Anonymous

Lord, in the indescribable light of Your love for me, may I in faith and reciprocal love lay down my life for You and others, to the praise of Your glory.