The Greatest Love (John 3:16)
In this lesson we will look at one of the most memorized verses from the Bible in order to understand real love. Love has been emotionalized and romanticized to the point today that most people do not even realize what it means to love. Nor do people understand what it truly means to be loved. Now we know that this is a sign of the times as in the last days the love of many will wax cold, but if we look to God’s word and his love we can still have an understanding of real love.
Choosing to Love:
When we think about it love is really a choice. In 1 John 4:19 we are shown that we love God because he first loved us. Everything God created has a choice. Lucifer did not have to rebel against God, angels did not have to join him, Adam and Eve did not have to eat of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. They all made a choice. In this we see real love. If something has no choice but to love or serve then it is not real love.
But God also had a choice when Adam and Eve sinned he loved them so he chose to put a plan in action that would eventually save mankind from sin. This plan involved giving his only begotten son to die on the cross for our sins. We should note that Jesus also made a choice and in doing so he said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
What can we see from John 3:16 regarding the greatest love?
1) God’s love has no boundaries (the world)
- There is not anyone that God did not die for or will not save (Romans 10:13 ; 2 Peter 3:9)
- Man’s love usually has limits or conditions, but when it comes to God saving sinners there is not limits to his love.
2) God’s love gave (Gave his only begotten son)
- Love is best described as a verb. Therefore you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
- Note 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 regarding Charity.
3) God’s love gave the very best (His only begotten Son)
- Jesus was God’s only son he was the very best we have to offer.
- We claim to love God as well as others, do we give them the very best?
4) God’s love provides and protects (should not perish, but have everlasting life)
- God’s love was not without purpose it was given to save us from sin and give us everlasting life (Romans 8:35-39).
The Greatest Love (John 3:16)
Handout
1) What is the source of real love?
2) What did Jesus say was the greatest love?
3) How does John 3:16 show us that God’s love is the greatest love?