by Pastor Rich Carlson 

As I allow my mind to recall favorite and important texts that help maintain a stability in my spiritual life, John 3:16 comes very naturally: "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

This is pretty basic:         

God's part:         

1.    He loves us all.         

2.    He gives His Son.           

My part:         

1.    I believe in Him.         

2.    I have everlasting life.         

So why does this seem hard to remember? I can blame the sinfulness of this world or the sinfulness of myself. I can blame Satan or my surroundings. I can excuse myself on the grounds of weakness or worldly influence. But I can't blame God!         

When my dad used to quote John 3:16 he would be quick to remind me not to forget verse 17. It divides nicely into two simple conclusions about which I need to be reminded every day:

1.    He did not come to condemn the world.         

2.    He did come to save the world.

According to verse 16, He did everything necessary to secure that outcome.         

I do not condemn people I love. And if that is true of me, I can only imagine how true it must be of God. He is not in the business of condemning; He is in the business of saving. Believing in what God has already done for me secures my salvation absolutely, and that's what He came to do.

In spite of all the confusing messages out there, I pray that this absolute assurance of salvation–God's greatest desire for each of us–becomes the driving force in all we do today.  

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.