Devotional

Understanding John 3: The Cost of Love

By Roger Lipe

Ready 

"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16-17

Set 

Imagine that your best teammates, ones with whom you have built strong relationships of love and respect, were suddenly separated from you by a rebellious act of betrayal. How would you feel? How could you ever restore these relationships after they have suffered such a crushing loss?

That’s similar to how God must have felt, and continues to feel, due to our rebellion and betrayal of Him. His heart is grieved by our sinful rejection of His love. How would He act to restore His relationship with us?

The great news is that He sent Jesus to Earth, while we were still in our rebellion and rejecting His love, to live, to die, and to rise again to fully restore our relationship with God. Even more, He promises us life beyond the grave, eternally in His presence. That’s amazing!

Take a moment to think about the depth and power of God’s love. His love pays the price to restore rebellion to a loving relationship with Himself through belief in Jesus Christ.

Go 
  1. What do you love about sport? What have you sacrificed to live your life in sport?
  2. Which relationships in your sporting life are most important to you?
  3. What would you be willing to sacrifice should those relationships be suddenly broken?
  4. How will you respond to God’s gift of sacrifice to restore your relationship with Him?
  5. How can you express your belief in God’s Son, Jesus Christ?
Workout 

Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; John 1:12

Overtime 

"Father, I confess my rebellion and sin against You. I believe in and commit my life to Jesus Christ. I receive Him as my Savior and Lord of my life. I trust You to lead me daily and to give me eternal life. I pray in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen."

Group 
Daily Impact Play
Bible Reference: 
John 3:16-17
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:8
John 1:12