By Bruce Scott
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
“So” is such a small word but one that can pack a wallop. We use it to describe something that is at the maximum or minimum of a range. We might say, “I am so tired!” or, “That is so small!”
That little power-packed word is in the world’s most famous Bible verse: “For God so loved the world . . .” (John 3:16). This is the basis of a thoughtful and guaranteed sacrifice. God’s love took him to the greatest extent possible, and it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that his love is so real. He sent his one and only Son to die for us.
And it goes even further. He didn’t just save us and send us on our way. God adopted us into his family one person at a time. How amazing is that?! John makes it very clear that this isn’t an honorary relationship, similar to a child calling some close family friend an uncle. It is so much more because as John writes, “That is what we are!”
The fact that you are truly loved by God—so much that he has actually adopted you—should stir you enough to respond to him in a life of gratitude.
Question
What is the one thing you will do differently starting this week that will be a new demonstration of your love for your Saviour?
Prayer
Father, I come to you with the deepest warmth, love, and appreciation today just because I can. I have nothing to ask right now. I just want to tell you that I love you so much. I am very grateful that you gave your one and only Son so that I could be adopted into your family forever. I am going to remind myself of that secure place and relationship in which I live every day, no matter how difficult the road ahead. Amen.