Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Integrity of the Whole Creation in Christ
Bible portion: St. John 3:16-21
V16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but the world might be saved through Him.”
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Devotion
V16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but the world might be saved through Him.”
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Devotion
The Gospel according to St. John infuses the emphasis on the personal nature of faith, and also illustrates the key values of Christian faith through salvation, eternal life, resurrection and Glory of Christ, that pervades over the whole Gospel. The bible portion describes the salvation narratives concise in a verse or two, however, not only merely about the individual salvation but reflects the broader theme of the integrity of the entire creation in Christ. Understanding this passage in its full context highlights the comprehensive scope of God’s redemptive work. The conversation with Nicodemus has opened up the discussion of the presence of the Kingdom of God through redemption. Through this, we can get a better understanding about how we can be part of God's salvation plan through Jesus Christ. Even though the world has fallen into darkness, we still need to be remain focused and abound in the love of God (John 1:10c).
As we read through John 3:16, the one word stands out in all aspects: love in its most unconditional form, which in itself is a great message to the world. In St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, we can see the canticle of love, which also depicts and describes love in its fuller sense. Why did God take these hard measures to save humanity? As per Karl Barth, “we humans could not cross the distance between earth and Heaven, so God Himself has crossed for our sake.” This indicates the amount of love God has for all of creation, which includes us. As God has loved us, we also have to love each other in the same intensity and form.
A simple act of love has paved the way for the salvation that is set for the children of God in eternity, and to achieve eternal life we have to pass the questions that would possibly come to us at the time of judgment. We can put it in such a way that, just by thinking what our life achievement is for the Kingdom of God? Does our relation with God illuminate in our life situations? It is through these ways we get opportunities to testify to God. Our integrity lies in the way we dedicate ourselves to righteous and truthful life in the light of Christ, which shines into the darkness of the world.
n (cf. Matthew 7: 21-23). The true wisdom of doing what’s taught in everything, central to all God’s Word.
As we read through John 3:16, the one word stands out in all aspects: love in its most unconditional form, which in itself is a great message to the world. In St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, we can see the canticle of love, which also depicts and describes love in its fuller sense. Why did God take these hard measures to save humanity? As per Karl Barth, “we humans could not cross the distance between earth and Heaven, so God Himself has crossed for our sake.” This indicates the amount of love God has for all of creation, which includes us. As God has loved us, we also have to love each other in the same intensity and form.
A simple act of love has paved the way for the salvation that is set for the children of God in eternity, and to achieve eternal life we have to pass the questions that would possibly come to us at the time of judgment. We can put it in such a way that, just by thinking what our life achievement is for the Kingdom of God? Does our relation with God illuminate in our life situations? It is through these ways we get opportunities to testify to God. Our integrity lies in the way we dedicate ourselves to righteous and truthful life in the light of Christ, which shines into the darkness of the world.
n (cf. Matthew 7: 21-23). The true wisdom of doing what’s taught in everything, central to all God’s Word.
Prayer
O God and Lord of all, help us to love one another with purity of heart and true faith, to live in peace and commit ourselves to continue the ministry of Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Thought for the Day
Think Glorious thoughts of God and serve him with a quiet mind.
SisterJanetStuart,rscj.
Rev. Suku Philip Mathew
St Luke, Mar Thoma Church, Margate.
SisterJanetStuart,rscj.
Rev. Suku Philip Mathew
St Luke, Mar Thoma Church, Margate.