Craig Clouston

 Enough to Send His Son

October 3

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his

Son … for our sins.

1 John 4:10

“What makes you so sure?” Jenna’s question about God loving us apart from

our performance was valid. She wanted to know why God didn’t require good

behavior a prerequisite to salvation.

“God told us through His Word, Jenna,” Shari explained, opening her

Bible and reading, ‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us.’”

Shari searched for the right words. “Jenna, we could never measure up to

God’s standards. His holiness requires perfection, and we aren’t perfect. Scrip-

ture says, ‘All have sinned.’ That means we needed a perfect sacrifice to save us.

That was God’s Son. God’s love is so fierce that He would rather send Jesus to

die in our place than allow us to spend eternity apart from Him.” Shari felt it

was time to ask Jenna to make a decision. “Would you like to know such love?”

“You know,” Jenna began, “I’ve watched you and Walt, and I see some-

thing.” She paused. “You have such a peace, even when things aren’t going so

great. I’d really like to know that peace in my life.”

Shari silently asked for the right words. “Jenna, God wants you to know

that peace too. All you need to do is accept His Son into your heart. You can’t

earn salvation; it’s a free gift given at a high price.” Seeing tears begin to form

in Jenna’s eyes, she pressed on. “Just ask Jesus to take over from today on. Tell

Him you know you’re a sinner in need of His sacrifice.”

Jenna bowed her head, and Jesus became her Lord and Savior.

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There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love or approval. He showed us His

love on the cross of Calvary.

He does require a humble heart, a heart turned to Him, a heart willing to

accept His great love and not one trying to earn it.

It costs us nothing. It cost Him everything because He cared enough to

send His Son.

Prayer

“Father God, I lift my life to You in this moment

and commit it to You. Wash my sins white as snow

with Your Son’s blood. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”