For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)  

The fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden was a great gift for the first human beings.  When they sinned it entailed far-reaching changes.  One consequence of the sin they had committed was the loss of fellowship with God.

Despite human beings' sinful conduct God never stopped loving the crown of His creation.  His love has always sought the hearts of human beings in need of salvation.  This love for fallen humankind was nobly expressed when God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection constitute the basis for redemption and open the way to fellowship with God.

In Jesus Christ we encounter God's love so that we "should not perish but have eternal life".  Jesus Christ makes deliverance from the consequences of sin and attaining eternal life dependent on

- Believing in Him

  "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24)

  "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." (John 5:24)

and

- Accepting those whom He was sent in the apostles

  "So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” " (John 20:21)

  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me" (John 13:20).

Such faith is our response to God's love.  Living in accordance with our faith is our response to

- the eternal God's loving call: "Give Me your heart"

- the tidings of love and grace emanating from Christ's cross

- all evidence of the almighty God's love in the word and the sacraments

- the loving desire of God's Son who wants to take to Himself the bride whom the Eternal One has given Him so that she may experience His glory.

  "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24) 

Jesus Christ's mission is only revealed to those who believe.  God's boundless love has manifested itself both in

- the incarnation of God's Son, as well as

- His apostles' mission then and today (read more about New Apostolic Church).

This love will be shown in a special manner when Jesus Christ appears as the bridegroom to take home His bride.  At the end of all time it will continue for those who are permitted to live forever in fellowship with God on the strength of their profession of loyalty to Jesus Christ.

 

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