I John 4:7-11
"God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins."
(I John 4:9-10)
In his classic work, "Mere Christianity," twentieth century British author C.S. Lewis wrote, "On the whole, God's love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for him." John offers evidence of Lewis' declaration in today's text, that God's love, not ours, brought about salvation. It is the simple reminder that we can't achieve salvation on our own, it is a gift of love from God.
Paul put it this way in Romans 5:8, "God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us." That while we were still sinners part is the tipping point in the gospel story. We didn't deserve such love; we could never earn it, but God's great love paid the price for our sin anyway.
On the whole, I'd say Lewis' assessment is right on target.
Prayer: Creator God, for the gift of Christmas, the gift of your love, we give you thanks. Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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