God Saved the World

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17)

A few weeks ago, this was part of the basis of the sermon in our church. As I was listening, and it may have been because the preacher pointed it out, I noticed that the passage is about God saving the world.

We often hear that and are thankful God has saved us - you or me. We don't often hear it as God saving the world, not individuals. Don't get me wrong, I believe God has by grace given me (and you) eternal life. But I think it's more.

What difference does it make that God has saved the world, not just individuals?

• If God has saved the world, then we're not judging who is saved and who isn't.
• If God has saved the world, then even that person we hate is saved.
• If God has saved the world, then God loves all of us - ALL OF US.
• If God has saved the world, then maybe God has also saved the planet, and we need to get our acts together so that we don't destroy what God has saved.
• If God has saved the world, then when we hurt someone, we are hurting who God loves and has saved.
• God has saved the world because it is God's nature to love. The world is not loved because of what it has done, but because God is who God is.

Thank God that God has saved the world.