聖經最著名一節經文是約翰福音3章16節。 女兒有個小學同學就把這節經文抄在筆記本首頁上。上帝的愛應該如何理解，今天看到我的郵箱裏飛來的一封信， 找到一位基督徒作家的搏客,叫做Meet me in the Meadow, 這位作者解釋了這節經文的每一個字， 我很喜歡，覺得他說的很對。
這篇文章提醒我：隻因為上帝愛我們， 人就可以有盼望， 不為任何別的人， 別的事。。。
By Roy Lessin
from: http://roy.dayspring.com/2010/02/index.html
I. John 3:16
For: Because there was a reason, because there was a need, because there was a glorious plan of redemption. In order to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind about God’s eternal purpose and our eternal destiny.
God: True God. God the Father. Creator of man. Giver of breath. Sustainer of life. God of reconciliation. Author of salvation. God of redemption.
So Loved: Not “will one day love”, but “has loved” “does love” “now loves”. Agape love, deep love, true love. Divine love. Perfect love. Love demonstrated. Active love. Not just “feeling love”, but “doing love”. Love that wants the best, does the best, gives the best. Holy love. Sacrificial love. Love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love that never fails.
The world: Those who are near and those who are afar; those of every color, every race, every tongue, every tribe, every nation. The Jew and the Gentile. The lost, the needy, the hungry, the devastated, the crushed, the bruised, the broken. Those in darkness, desperation, and despair. The condemned, the sinner, the rebel. The sick who need a physician; the guilty who need pardon; the transgressor who needs forgiveness; the prodigal who is far from the Father’s home.
That He gave: Giving God! Freely bestowing—giving grace, giving mercy, giving life. Not small portions. Not just enough to get by. Giving in abundance. Outpouring. Overflowing. Overwhelming.
His only begotten Son: Jesus Christ. Son of God, Son of man. King of kings. Lord of lords. The Word made flesh. Emanuel. God with us. Wonderful! Counselor! Mighty God! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace! God giving all that He could give. God holding nothing back! The Creator coming to His creation; the Lamb of God coming to be offered as a sacrifice for sin; the Redeemer, shedding His blood to bring us back to God.
That whosoever: An open door, an open invitation—to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Big or small, rich or poor, famous or unknown, old or young, male or female. You and I.
Believeth in Him: Not “work for”, not “try hard”, not “earn”. By faith. Believing with the heart. Not a reward to earn, but a gift to receive. Trusting in His mercy. Counting upon His provision. Receiving His life. Leaning upon His grace. Yielding to His Lordship.
Should not perish: Not lost. Not condemned. Not cast out. Not destroyed. Not in eternal darkness. Not separated. Not alone.
But have: Blessed assurance! Being sure. Being certain. Not “guessing”, not “wishing”, not “pretending”. Not “I hope so”, but “I know so”. Without a doubt, I am His and He is mine.
Everlasting life: Forgiven. Saved. Redeemed. Possessing His life. Eternal life. Kingdom life. Blessed hope! Glorious end! Never-ending story of His amazing grace!
Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed. Psalm 25:3 AMP
Years ago, one of the characters in a popular comic strip was looking forward to an upcoming event. Throughout the strip the character’s excitement continued to grow. At the end of the strip the character stood with his head down and a look of disappointment upon his face. When asked by a friend what was wrong, the character replied, “I found that my expectations far exceeded the actual event.”
What happened to this comic strip character will not happen to the child of God who is trusting in God’s promises. What God has planned and prepared for those who love Him will blow them away! We must remember that the difficulties, hardships and trials that we are presently going through are only pages in the story of our lives. We must be patient and read on, waiting with excitement and expectation for what the final chapters will bring.
God will never betray our trust in what He has said, and as we wait upon Him to fulfill His promises, we do not need to fear disappointment. In the end, we will not be let down by the expectations of our faith. Everything He brings to us will be more than we could ever ask or think. Since what God has for us will exceed our expectations, it means we can never expect too much.
S.D. Gordon tells us, “Trust trusts God when it doesn’t understand what He is doing. Jesus practically replies, ‘Wait; hold steady; trust Me, though you don’t see how things are working out.’” As you wait for the fulfillment of His promises, you don’t have to wait in gloom or misery. Even if you don’t understand the things that are happening around you, you can trust Him in joyful expectation for the fulfillment of what God has promised to do.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us! Romans 8:18 AMP
