For God So Loved the World

12/05/22/ to 12/11/22

Salvation is His Desire

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/09/22

The summary of the Christian faith is this: Because God loved so much, He gave so much. Love brought Jesus down to us so that those who respond to His incredible love will be saved. When God gave His Son, it was to provide an escape from the torment of hell because salvation is His desire.

God longs for everyone to believe and turn to Him (see 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:23, 32). God will forgive anyone who comes to Him for forgiveness in Jesus’ name; there is no sin for which the blood of Jesus cannot atone. No matter how low you may have sunk in your own eyes, God welcomes you if you will receive His gift of grace in humility and gratitude, recognizing that you are unworthy and undeserving of His love. “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Who are the saved? Whoever believes in Jesus (see John 3:16). God welcomes and will give everlasting life to everyone who sets their hope in the Son of God.

That’s what Christmas is all about—the Good News that love brought Jesus down from heaven and that your submission to that love will take you up to heaven with Him. Jesus gave up His glory to pay our ransom—to take the punishment each one of us should have paid ourselves. And by His blood, He clothes us eternally in His glory.

Prayer: Jesus, You are full of mercy and grace. Though I am full of sin, You have ransomed me. Though I was Your enemy, You have clothed me in Your righteousness as a child of God. I want to live for You, Lord, as a child of the King. May I worship You rightly this Christmas—living as Your ambassador to show those around me Your love and glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“. . . he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).