I have often been frustrated at the Church for teaching John 3: 16 without an equal attention to the verses which follow.  The entire world wants to hear that God loves them.  Yeah, ain’t that the truth!  But they don’t want to approach Him. 

To teach the one without the other can be summed up as follows. 

A four legged table with but two legs does not entertain with a stable character.  And those who sat to eat walk away hungry.

There is no lesson to be learned simply by failing.  No.  We learn from our failures when we perceive the damage they do.  The more astoundingly vivid the contrast becomes, between productive and destructive, the less likely we will be to repeat that folly.

The greatest source of such contrast will be found in God.  Approaching Him, despite our wickedness, will result in learning what is good.

“Write what is true.  Make your mark in this place of testing.  You have spent decades taking.  Give now from what you are given.  Do not fear, and do not shrink back.  Do not lose heart.  And do not allow yourself to care who reads your words.  Write, instead, to solidify God’s ways within your soul.”

A fault appears within my soul.

I assume all men are obstinate.

Then with heavy heart and resignation of mind,

I find the fault is likely well founded.

1 “There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. 2 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. 3 Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. 4 Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man; far from men he dangles and sways. 5 The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire; 6 sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold. 7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it. 8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there. 9 Man’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains. 10 He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. 11 He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light. 12 “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? 13 Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.”

You are men.  How should I expect you to listen to me?  I am nothing more than a man myself.  I am speaking to you men. 

I know the pride that lurks within us.  I know the sins that plague us.  I live with you here.  So I know the temptations you face.  And I know that the warrior within you will despise correction.  So I won’t tell you to do anything.  You would not obey my words anyway.

But, if there is any spark of love for the things of God within you, I ask you to give the following some serious consideration.

When this life is finished we will have become a name.  Part of that name will be either “he overcame”, or “he did not submit”.  We will not be called by the name men use now.  Did you know that?

God sees us according to our relationship with His Holy Son.  He does not look at our sins if we are hidden in His Son.  He sees our obedience alone.  And according to what we have accomplished here, we will own a certain title for eternity.

You know these things.  But you also know your own level of obedience.   What are you settling for?  I don’t ask you how glorious you have become to the Lord.  I ask you how much you are willing to throw away here.

Is God true?  Is the Gospel real?  Most people laugh at men like me.  They don’t realize their laughter is a sign to me that I am overcoming, by His grace.  They would accept God’s people if we acted like them.  Do the people of this world accept you?

Gain the world or gain God.  You can’t have it both ways, my friends.  I have tried to spur you.  But I know a man’s spiritual pain threshold is exceedingly high.  I ask you to let these words penetrate.  Time is running out.

By His Grace