MORNING MANNA 2-1-23
GOD LOVES THE WORLD
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”- Matthew 23:37–39
Most of the world religions throughout history have featured stern and largely unapproachable gods. These gods often demanded great sacrifices in order to be appeased. One of the distinctive traits of Christianity is that God Himself provided the sacrifice for the atonement of men’s sins. Rather than demanding that we make the payment for redemption, Jesus—God in the flesh—came to make it. John the Baptist was the first human voice to announce Jesus’ redemptive role. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
There are many things in the world around us that are in direct opposition to God, and it seems that the more evil is displayed, the more it is applauded. Yet,God loves the whole world, and we too were once sinners. Even those raised in the most protective environments of church were still sinners in need of God’s love and a Saviour.
Dr. John R. Rice wrote, “God loves this world! Let me say it again, because our hearts are so calloused to the blessed truth that it makes little impression upon us—God loves this world! He loves every sinner in it. The extent of His love is beyond human comprehension. He gave His own perfect Son, to be a man, to be tempted as a man, to live a perfect life, to minister among men and then to die a shameful death of agony that men might be saved.” (Copied)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.
