For God So Loved Us
For God So Loved Us
Michael T. Ringwood
Takeaways:
“God so loved us that He sent His Only Begotten Son—not to condemn us, but to save us.” This plan is personal to each of us. Heavenly Father “knows our hearts, our names, and what He needs us to do.”
In the Bible story of Joseph being sold into Egypt, Joseph’s brother, Judah, promises Jacob that he would bring Benjamin home when the brothers go to Egypt to find food. When Joseph tests his brothers and accuses Benjamin of a crime, Judah offers to be jailed in Benjamin’s place and says, “For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?”
Part of the plan includes us helping others to return to him because doing so helps us become like Jesus Christ.
We can learn a lot from the Old Testament, which “teaches the role of prophets in uncertain times and of God’s hand in a world that was confused and often contentious. It is also about humble believers who faithfully looked forward to the coming of our Savior, just as we look forward to and prepare for His Second Coming—His long-prophesied, glorious return.”
Questions to Ponder:
“Do you ever feel about others the way Judah felt toward Benjamin” when he said, “how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?” In other words, are there people in your life you couldn’t imagine returning home to our Father in Heaven without?
Imagine meeting Christ and hearing him calling you by name and asking you about your life. How does the perspective that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know you personally and have a personal plan for you affect your outlook on life and priorities?