Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – 365 Days Of Guidance – Day 44- John 3:16-18 – For God So Loved – Growing As Disciples
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
Certainty
How can you be certain that I love you? The answer to that question seems quite clear to me. You sent your one and only Son into the world to die for my sins. Who would do such a thing, no one that I know on this earth. It had to have taken desperate circumstances for you to make that drastic choice. Well, you were living far from me in a dark, sin filled life. You were on a path headed away from me, to an eternity without me. Is there any situation more drastic than that? No, I’m sure that no circumstance could be more drastic than that.
Why was it necessary for me to send my Son into the world for you? There was no other way to erase the stain of my sin. My sin separated me from you. We could not live in a relationship together. There was nothing that I could do to erase my sin. I couldn’t earn your forgiveness. No matter how hard I would try to live a good life I would never be pure in your sight. You are Holy and I was not. It took your Son’s blood shed on the cross to wash away my sins so I could be forgiven and cleansed of all my unrighteousness. Yes, it did. Now, you are holy in my sight because of all that my Son has done for you. Now, we can live in a relationship together. For that I am so thankful.
Let’s talk about believing. For quite awhile you believed all the important facts about my Son, didn’t you? Yes, I did. Did you really believe in Him then? You must have heard me say, “I believe everything about Jesus Christ but what difference does that make to me?” Yes, I heard that. At that time, I didn’t really believe in him. Explain that. Well, I certainly hadn’t turned away from my sin. I didn’t ask for or want forgiveness of my sins. I was enjoying my sin. One day that all changed didn’t it? Yes, it did. I had to hit rock bottom before I was ready to turn away from my sin and ask for your Son’s forgiveness and cleansing of my sin. But, you did that. Yes, I did.
What has happened to your life since you began to follow my Son as your Savior and Lord? Well, the whole course of my life has changed as a result. How so? I now want to follow Him. What’s that mean? I want to go where He guides me, to do all that He asks of me. I want to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I’m living my life according to your will, instead of my own. It is my joy to serve you. It is my desire to know you. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I know for sure that you are my Father and I am your child. Yes, you are. I am certain that I have already started to live the eternal life that I have in you. Yes, you have.
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and sending your Son into the world to die for my sins. I believe in Jesus Christ and I’m following Him as my Savior and Lord. I look forward to the day when I will live in heaven with you. Amen
Key Question… How has believing in Jesus Christ changed the entire course of your life?
Living It Out… Believe in Jesus Christ and receive forgiveness of all your sins so you can live forever in heaven with Him.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that by believing in Jesus Christ you will be forgiven of your sins and be able to live in Heaven with Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you came to believe in Jesus Christ as your Savor and Lord.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you follow Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
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