For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (NIV) John 3:17
The cross was an act undertaken by God. The Father was not a passive spectator, but an active participant in the plan of redemption. Christ died on the cross because it was God’s will to reconcile mankind to Himself. God was in Christ, and therefore, involved Himself in man’s redemption. God made Christ sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21) and then victoriously raised Jesus from the dead in the resurrection (Acts 2:32, 3:15, 3:26, 4:10, 5:30, 10:40, 13:30, 13:33-34).
The Father’s Love:
** For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)
** The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead– whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. (Acts 5:30)
** And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son {to be} the Savior of the world. (I John 4:14)
The Son’s Love:
** He said, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:8-9)
** She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
** For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
** Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
The Spirit’s Love
** Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:5)
** The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63)
**. . . because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
** But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Titus 3:4-6)
It was God’s initiative, God’s plan, that saved mankind from the clutches of death.
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
