Episode #41: The Ultimate Demonstration of God's Love for Humanity

Have you ever stopped to fully comprehend how deeply God loves you? It's a love so vast and unconditional that it transcends human understanding – a love that sent Jesus to the cross specifically with you in mind.

In this transformative episode, we dive deep into scripture to uncover the breathtaking reality of God's love. Through passages from John, Romans, 1 Peter, and Isaiah, we explore not just the theological concept of Christ's sacrifice, but what it means personally for you today. The cross wasn't just a historical event; it was God's love letter written in Jesus' blood, addressing you by name.

Many Christians acknowledge Christ's sacrifice intellectually but haven't fully grasped its implications. When scripture tells us "by His stripes we are healed," it uses present tense – indicating healing isn't a future promise but a completed work. The physical suffering Jesus endured – every lash on His back, every thorn in His crown – served a specific redemptive purpose for your freedom and wholeness.

Perhaps most liberating is the revelation that God doesn't wait for us to "get our lives together" before accepting us. He sees you exactly as you are right now – with all your flaws, struggles, and unresolved issues – and still extends His invitation. His arms are open wide, ready to transform your life not through your own efforts but through His grace.

Ready to experience the life-changing power of truly believing God loves you? Listen now, and let these scriptural truths sink from your head into your heart. Your perspective on God, yourself, and your future might never be the same. Share this message with someone who needs to hear about God's unconditional love today!

Transcript

Introduction to God's Love

Speaker 1 0:02

Hello, my name is Stephanie. Welcome to the All Is Well podcast. My mission is to teach people the Word of God and emphasize its importance in their daily lives. I'm glad you decided to join me today. Let's get started. Welcome to episode 41.

Speaker 1 0:24

Do you know how much that God truly loves you? Well, he loves you so much that he sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for you and die. So let's dive in. Dive in today into the Word of God and to see how much God loves us. So let's turn on over to our Bibles, to John, chapter 3. And while it is good to listen, if you're driving on the road, always remember, if you're at home, get out your Bible. It's good to get in the habit of getting out your Bible and seeing the words right in front of you rather than just listening. So let's get started. In John, chapter 3, verse 15, whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten Son that whoever, that is, anyone in the entire world, that whoever believes in him, believes in Jesus, should not perish, which means die, but have eternal life. That we will live forever with God in heaven. Verse 16,. For God so loved the world, he loved each and every one of us, every single person living on the earth right now before us earth right now before us and after us, that he gave his only begotten son. He gave Jesus. God gave Jesus to us that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life Verse 17,. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world. He didn't come to tell us you're not doing that, right? That's wrong. But it's saying but that the world. He didn't come to tell us you're not doing that, right? That's wrong. But it's saying but that the world, through him, might be saved. That's why Jesus came to die on the cross to save you and die to heal us, to restore us, so that we could have eternal life, so that we would not perish. That's how much God loves us. He sent his one and only son to die on the cross. Think about that. He sent Jesus on the earth and he knew what was going to happen to Jesus, that he was going to be crucified. They were going to beat him, they were going to bruise him, but he knew that, doing that, the world could be saved through Jesus.

Jesus Died For Our Sins

Speaker 1 3:10

And let's continue. He who believes in him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God and this is the condemnation that the light has come into the world. And men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil Verse 20. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the, we're in the light with Jesus, that everything is better, that we are not condemned when we're saved through him, but when we're not, we are condemned. So let's keep taking a closer look at this.

Speaker 1 4:07

Let's turn on over to our Bibles, to Romans, chapter 5, verse 6 through 11. Romans, chapter 5, verse 6. For when we were still without strength in due time, christ died for the ungodly. For so it's saying maybe someone would die for a good man, but that would be so rare for someone to do that. But verse 8, it tells us, but God demonstrates his own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, christ died for us. And so you can see the difference here between God and humans If someone does something wrong to you, you think, well, I'm not going to do anything for them anymore, that was the last straw, I'm done with them. But God's not like that and we should be very thankful and grateful that he's not like that, because it says here that God demonstrates his own love towards us in that, while we were still sinners, even when we were not believing in him, when we were apart from him, he still died for us. He still cared for us. He still loves us when we're apart from him. He still died for us. He still cared for us. He still loves us when we're in that state, but he doesn't want us to stay in that state. Verse 9,. Much more than having now been justified by his blood, the blood of Jesus, we shall be saved from wrath through him, for when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son. Much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. So it's saying that now we are reconciled with God because of what Jesus did for us at the cross.

While We Were Still Sinners

Speaker 1 6:11

Let's continue to 1 John, chapter 4, verse 9. In 1 John, chapter 4, verse 9. And remember, as we're reading these scriptures, as you're listening to this, remember as we're reading these scriptures, as you're listening to this, meditate and think about how much God loves us, how much that he loves you, because he loves you very, very much. Verse 9,. In this it's saying this is love. God didn't come to send his son for us. God did not send his son because we loved him, but because he loved us. So that is love that he came and he sent his son for us. And then it says if God so loved us which he does we also ought to love one another. God did that for us, so we can love others as well, even when they don't love us, even when they do wrong to us. God is saying I did that for you, so you can do that for others as well. Let's continue.

Speaker 1 7:50

Let's go over to 1 Peter. In 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 22. And this is Jesus right here, who committed no sin nor better. Stop doing what you're doing. I can fight you off, I can get the angels from heaven. God can strike you down right now. He didn't even say any of that and he could have. But he knew his purpose. He knew what he needed to do. And so it says here that Jesus committed himself to him. Who judges righteously? Jesus committed himself to God Because that wasously. Jesus committed himself to God because that was his purpose. He obeyed his father.

Speaker 1 8:50

Not only did God love us, jesus loved God so much Verse 24, who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree. So, as we read here in verse 22, it said who committed no sin? Jesus did not have any sin in him at all, no sin whatsoever. But yet he died on the cross for us and he bore our sins. Did you know? He took all of that for us so that way we wouldn't have to. And if you're saying but why am I a sinner? Accept him into your life. He died for you. That's why he died for you, so that way you can accept him into your life. You give that over to him, and then you're made clean, you're made new, you're made in the righteousness of God. You're a new person, you're a new creation, you're made in the image of Christ. That's why Jesus came here to make us new, to make us clean, to restore us.

Speaker 1 9:53

We shouldn't be in the same spot where we were when we were not saved. This is what God did for us how much he loved us and he still does so. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. Also, the stripes that Jesus got on his back were for our healing. Everything that Jesus went through on the cross during that crucification process was for us. All of it, every single part. It wasn't to benefit the ones who were crucifying him, it was for us, and so those stripes on his back represents our healing.

The Shepherd and Overseer

Speaker 1 10:45

The sicknesses, the disease we don't need to go through that. It says it also in Isaiah, which we're going to read here in a minute. And you may say but why am I still sick? Again, you need to know what Jesus did for you at the cross, know that he died for your sins. He died for you to be healed, for you to be well, for you to be whole and complete. But we have to receive that, we have to accept that. Then it says for you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls. So when it says in this last verse. Here we were like sheep.

Speaker 1 11:27

Think about an actual sheep. If sheep do not have a shepherd, they're just going to be all over the place. They need to be guided. We are the same way. If we don't have Jesus guiding our life, then we're going to be all over the place. It looks like we know what we should do next, but without a shepherd and overseer of our life, we're really all over the place.

Speaker 1 11:55

So let's look at a closer definition of what a shepherd is. So a shepherd is one who leads and guides the sheep. So it also says in the Bible, in the New Testament God is the shepherd and we are the sheep. And he says my sheep hear my voice. We hear his voice and we follow him. His voice is the word of God. What is he telling us to do? Where is he leading us? Even if something may look good with our natural eyes, he may not want us to do. Where is he leading us? Even if something may look good with our natural eyes, he may not want us to do that or proceed in that way. So that's why it's good for us to hear the shepherd and not to wander off.

Speaker 1 12:37

Now, an overseer what's an overseer? It is a person who watches over and directs the work of others. So God watches over us and he directs our work. You say, well, I can figure it out, but wouldn't you want the shepherd to lead us into better pastors? I would. It's a million times better to have the God of the universe, the one who knows literally everything, to lead me and guide me and protect me. He knows everyone's thoughts, what they're thinking, what they're feeling. He knows what's going to happen in the future with every single thing. So why wouldn't I want to follow him? Why wouldn't I want him to lead me? And two, because he loves me so much he's not going to steer me in the wrong direction.

Speaker 1 13:32

Let's continue to Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 4. So in Isaiah 53, verse 4, surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. And this is talking about here what Jesus did at the cross for us. He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, and this is talking about here what Jesus did at the cross for us. He has borne our griefs and our sorrows, yet we esteemed him, stricken, smitten by God and afflicted, but he was wounded for our transgressions.

Speaker 1 14:02

What's a transgression? It's an offense, a sin. He was wounded for that, but ours, not for his. He never did anything wrong. He was bruised for our iniquities. What's an iniquity? It's an immoral or grossly unfair behavior, wickedness, sinfulness. He died for that. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon him and again, and by his stripes we are healed. It doesn't say and by his stripes we will be healed in the future we are healed, which means it already happened.

Speaker 1 14:44

He already died on the cross for it. All we need to do is accept it and believe it and receive his word and receive him A lot of the things that we're wanting from him and want him to do. We're not realizing it, but he already did that for us at the cross. You have to give your cares over to him, release that over to him instead of just carrying it for yourselves, because we were not made and created to carry that weight. That's why Jesus came on the earth to die on the cross for us, because, look, he bore our griefs, he carried our sorrows, he received stripes on his back for our healing. He died for our sins. He did all of that and then yet we're over here, acting like he never died on the cross for us like he never did anything. He didn't redeem us, he didn't restore us, which he did. So we need to take it and receive it and believe it.

Speaker 1 15:51

Let's head on over to John, chapter 5. Most assuredly I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him, who sent me, has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. If you listen to the word of God and believes in Jesus and believes in God who sent Jesus, it says we will have everlasting life. You got to hear the word. Believe it, believe in the one, believe that Jesus was sent on the cross to die for our sins, then we will have everlasting life. What does that mean? Everlasting life to reside with the father in heaven and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. We have. Not only are we a new creation, we have a new future. God gives us a new future once we come into the knowledge of Christ, once we come and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Speaker 1 17:14

Let's continue in verse 25. For as the Father has life in Himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in Himself and has given Him authority to execute judgment, also because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth those who have done good to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation. I can, of myself, do nothing, as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the Father who sent me. So what I would recommend for you to do is to meditate on these scriptures. It's very important that you get this rooted in your spirit, in your heart.

God's Invitation and Closing Prayer

Speaker 1 18:11

Go back and read John, chapter 3, verse 15,. Romans chapter 5, verses 6 through 11,. 1 John chapter 4, verses 9 through 11,. 1 Peter chapter 2, verses 22 through 24, isaiah chapter 53, verses 4 through 5, and John chapter 5, verse 24. And those scriptures are about the love of God, how much that he loved you by sending his one and only son to die on the cross for you. You might be thinking you've been saying it way too much during this episode, but that's the thing. You need to hear it, you need to know it this much. It needs to be in your heart and in your soul and in your mind to know the reality of it, that God truly does love you.

Speaker 1 19:10

He thought about you over 2,000 years ago when he sent Jesus to die on the cross for you and die. He thought about you. He said I love him so much, I love her so much that I need I'm going to send my son to die on the cross so that way my children can have eternal life with me. So all Jesus wants, all God wants, is for us to come to him. He says my yoke is easy and my burden is light, which means everything is easier with God, doesn't mean you're not going to go through things, but I would rather go through things with God than without God, because he will teach me, he will lead me, he will guide me and protect me. With him, my head is not just barely above water and I'm barely surviving. No, I'm more than that. I'm thriving because of the God that I serve.

Speaker 1 20:11

Don't think that you need to get your life together or organized or have it this way and that way before you get with God. That's not what he is, that's not who he is, and that's not how he operates. He loves you, he cares for you, he wants you now. He already sees how you are now. Just because you're waiting to get your life together doesn't mean that God doesn't know how you are now. He wants you now, all of you. He wants your heart. Just come to him, receive him.

Speaker 1 20:47

So what I'm going to do right now is I'm going to say a prayer for the ones who have received Jesus. I'm going to say a prayer for the ones who have received Jesus into their lives but yet they haven't fully accepted what he did at the cross for them. And then, if you have not accepted Jesus into your life and would like to, then at the end of this episode there is a salvation prayer, and if it does go a little fast, you can pause it and that way you can be able to listen to it Whenever you get to the salvation prayer. Don't just listen to it, you need to repeat it. Repeat those words, just like it says. You need to believe in your heart and receive it. Make sure that you say it. If you need to pause it, go ahead whenever you get to that point.

Speaker 1 21:38

So, right now, what I'm going to do is I'm going to pray for the people that have accepted Jesus Christ in their lives, but they haven't realized what he did at the cross and they need that transformation in their lives. So, thank you, father, for everyone out there. Thank you, god, for the ones who have received you into their lives. Thank you, god, that you are transforming them each and every day. Thank you, god, that you are transforming them each and every day. Thank you, god, that helping them to see, helping them to recognize what you did at the cross for them. Thank you, god, that they don't have to fight this life alone, but thank you, god, that you have already taken care of it for them. Thank you, god, that you will see that. They will see that, and thank you, god, for lifting the heavy load off of them. In the name of Jesus, just like you said in your word, that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Thank you, god for opening up their eyes and making it clear to them, and thank you, jesus, that you love them so much, and thank you, god, that they will truly know that. In Jesus' name, amen.

Speaker 1 22:45

If this episode helped you in any way, share it with a friend or a family member. Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to tune in to the next episode. If you have not accepted Jesus into your life, say this salvation prayer with me Heavenly Father, I admit that I have sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart. You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is Lord and my Savior. Right now I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. Come into my life. I am saved In Jesus' name. Amen. I'm glad you prayed that salvation prayer. Make sure that you plug yourself into a spirit-filled church and read the Word of God. Well, I hope you enjoy the message and thank you for tuning in.