His Only"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoeverbelieves in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16Nothing expresses the concept of God' love more comprehensively than John 3:16.It's a scripture that children are taught to learn and adults learn to leanupon. When the Scripture speaks of God's love, we must embrace the fact that itis not limited to a selected few or one favored group. If that was the case,it's a real possibility we would not be included. But it is an inclusive lovethat has the breadth to go beyond our failings and the depth to lift us from ourfalls.When John declares this gift is for the whole world, it's inspiring because itmeans that even folk like us still benefit from its reach. Folk that may not bewhere they need to be yet but are pressing forward are renewed by His presence.And His love transforms the possibilities in our lives into purpose and we aresimply better because of it.Think of the ways in which we share our love for our mates, family, friends,even in our giving to strangers. We may choose service, affection, gifts, orsimply language to transfer our feelings to that individual. But God's love isexpressed in the giving of his most priceless gift, His only son Jesus Christ.When I reflect on the reality that He gave His only, I realize that normally wewouldn't give people our only of anything. Human nature would caution us to keepback something for ourselves. Even the most benevolent spirit that freely shareswould hesitate on giving away their only coat, their only car, or their onlydollar.I recall as a child, if there was only one of something left in therefrigerator, you asked for it. The only slice of pie or only cup of milk hadspecial significance because it might be needed for something important orpromised to someone else. If you dared take the only of anything withoutpermission, it was certain that you would bring the wrath of Big Mama upon yourlittle head.And so I've always been encouraged that John reveals that God "so loved" us thathis love is solidified with action and not just in words. It moved beyondrhetoric to the reality of giving that which He valued most, Jesus Christ. Andwe are all beneficiaries of that wonderful gift.And so the immense power of God' love is that He says, "I'm not just going togive you what I have, I'm going to give you all I have."God chooses to love us even when we aren't that loveable and gently looks beyondour faults. And therein rests the power of love. That it gives us not only thechance to become better, but to become a part of something greater thanourselves through His love.
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