The 3:16s of God's Love
Is it any wonder that God admonishes His children to study the scriptures? We
could not begin to learn all that God provided for us when we accepted His offer
of sins forgiven with just a casual reading of a verse or two when we have our
devotions each day.
Have you ever thought of making a study of the 3:16s of the Bible? Of course, we
all know the most famous and favorite 3:16 by heart. That is John 3:16 - the
very heart of the salvation story. "For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten son, that whosever believeth in Him, should not perish but have
everlasting life." What freedom, joy and release we find when we appropriate
that verse right into our daily life. God didn't just love me, He SO loved me!
However, have you ever thought of all the other 3:16s in the Bible? Ah, what a
rich treasure there is in studying them. When you read the surrounding verses,
and zero in on the 3:16 therein, your heart will sing with the love, mercy, and
Protective Care of our God.
For instance, have you ever considered Daniel 3:16? The three Hebrew children
make a stand for pleasing God with their lives and not pleasing men! If you
study the verses before 3:16 and the verses afterward, the words of 3:16 explode
with meaning.
How about Zepaniah 3:16-17?
Why not take your Bible and search out all the 3:16s. Some Books have no
sixteenth verse and some have no third chapter (such as Second and Third John
and Jude.
The other 3:16s will provide you with a summer's worth of getting closer to the
one who loved us enough to die for us.
Here are a few of the verses to get you started. Remember to read the
surrounding verses and then zero in on the verse 3:16.
Genesis 3:16 - The results of sin
Exodus 3:16 - God looks down from Heaven and see our difficulties
Leviticus 3:16 - The sacrifices God will accept (we must come His way).
I Samuel 3:16 - How to answer God's Call on your life
Malachi 3:16 - Your Accountability
John 3:16 - Your Salvation
II Timothy 3:16 - Your guide Book
Colossians 3:16 - Your Song book
I Thessalonians 3:16 - Your Authority
Ephesians 3:16 - Your strength
I John 3:16 - Your Witness
I Cor. 3:16 - Your Daily Walk
These are by no means all of the 3:16s but it will be enough to get you started
on a Bible Study of your own.
The chief purpose of your life is that Jesus Christ and His glory should be
reflected in you. As you search out all the nuggets of gold he has hidden in His
word, you will find yourself becoming conformed to the image of His Son, which
is His perfect plan for your life.
Audrey Mullen