Daily Devotion (April 29, 2025)
John 3:16-29
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Not many people are ignorant of John 3:16 or at least those who were born in my generation. There was a time when people went to church and learned about God. I do not know if that is true anymore. I love praise music that emphasizes the love of God and proclaims the truth of God’s Word. I also enjoy the old hymns such as “The Old Rugged Cross.”
We learn in group Bible studies and the worship service about the love of Jesus and His sacrifice for us. We also learn the Christian has a responsibility to God. We can accept God intellectually but that is not going to save us. (Satan has a far greater knowledge of God than we do.) Belief in God is more than just speaking the words; it is internalizing the gift of God. The faith of John 3:16 is a transforming faith. The believer dies to self.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” This calls for humility and a willingness to let go of personal desires, pride, and control, allowing Jesus to guide our actions and decisions. It’s not always an easy journey, but it leads to a life filled with purpose and the profound peace of walking in alignment with God’s will. We allow God to live in us. What good is a vehicle without the fuel to make it run? Let go and let God live through the power of the Holy Spirit in your life and empower you to live your life for Him.