John 3:16 expresses an overwhelming love: “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.” The
sheer gift of grace through this miraculous sacrifice is our eternal
life. Yet, the line that follows is just as important and just as
powerful. “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.”

We can more accurately translate the word world in verses
16 and 17 as “cosmos,” “created order,” or “system of reality.”
God’s love is an inclusive and accepting love, unconditional and
universal. God so loves the whole world and everyone in it that
God sent Jesus so all might be saved.

Do some reject this gift? Certainly. Do some people remain
ignorant of this great love? Without doubt. But we do not decide
who receives this love and who does not. God is love. The very
nature of God is grace. Being a Christian doesn’t make us better
than anyone else, just more fortunate and blessed. And we are
blessed to be a blessing. We have received this great love. We
have been touched by this amazing grace. We who know God
and have been transformed by God’s Spirit are charged with
sharing this good news, this gospel, with everyone we meet.

Many aspects of life are uncertain. In this life we may lose
or squander our possessions or virtues, and we may have items
taken from us. But the one certainty, the one thing we can count
on never to lose, is the love of God in Jesus Christ.