Globe

For God So Loved the World

For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

These words are some of the most well-known and welcoming words of Scripture. Jesus spoke them to Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who was intrigued with Jesus’ miracles and came at night to learn more about Jesus. In this verse Jesus encapsulates His mission. He came to be a Savior not just for the nation of Israel, but for the world. He has come to shed His blood and ransom a people for God“from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9–10).

When Jesus said “whoever believes,” He did not mean “whoever” the way some in our day use “whatever” (as if God doesn’t really care who comes). The wording of the verse is actually very personal. A better rendering would be “each one believing” or “everyone believing.” Each one who places his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. Everyone who turns away from their sin and comes to Christ by faith will be forgiven and will have eternal life.

These words are filled with hope. They offer life eternal! Though I am a needy sinner, wholly underserving of God’s kindness and mercy, living in a nation thousands of miles from where Jesus walked the earth, living almost 2000 years after He rose again and ascended into heaven, yet God’s love reaches even me!

Preach this wonderful promise to your soul often! Share with those around you who need God’s grace and mercy. God’s love is wider, deeper, and farther reaching than you could ever imagine!

My Soul What Truth Consoles You?

My soul, what truth consoles you?
For hope, where can you run?
For God so loved the world that
He gave His only Son,
And everyone believing,
Though wrecked by sin and strife,
In Him can never perish,
But have eternal life.

Words ©2017 Ken Puls

Check out the lyric video of this hymn on youtube:

See more lyrics, including a free Lyric Print (PDF), and download free sheet music for this hymn.

Image from Unsplash

My Soul What Truth Consoles You?

Light on the Path

Last month we had the privilege at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral of hearing from Conrad Mbewe. On New Year’s Day 2017 Dr. Mbewe, who serves as Pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, preached a message from John 3:16 entitled “God’s Indescribable Love.” He encouraged us to begin the new year with our souls “anchored deep” in the unfailing love of God in Christ.

Sometimes the verses we think we know best are the ones we can learn from the most. That is certainly true of John 3:16. Anytime we are under the preaching of God’s Word, we need to listen intently, and even more so when the passage is familiar and we think we know what the preacher is going to say. Scripture is an inestimable and inexhaustible treasure. We need to hear it expectantly (even parts we think we know) and let it dwell in us “richly” (Colossians 3:16).

This hymn is my reflection on the verse and the message. The love of God that He has given us in His Son is a sure fortress that shelters us through every storm and trial.

My Soul What Truth Consoles You?

For God so loved the world,
that he gave His only Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)

My soul, what truth consoles you?
For hope, where can you run?
For God so loved the world that
He gave His only Son,
And everyone believing,
Though wrecked by sin and strife,
In Him can never perish,
But have eternal life.

My soul, when life confounds you,
Look up to Christ above!
The floods of fear can’t reach to
The heights of His great love.
If clouds around me darken,
I know I will endure,
For I have life eternal;
In Christ I rest secure.

So come, my soul, and worship,
Give praise to God and sing!
There is no firmer promise
To which you now can cling.
Through every storm and trial,
My soul He’ll safely keep.
Within the love of Jesus,
My soul is anchored deep.

Words ©2017 Ken Puls

Download the lyrics and free sheet music for this hymn.

Download a free Lyric Print (PDF) of the words to this hymn.

More Hymns and Songs