“God Loved the World So that He Gave”

1. Jesus told Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). How does the word “so” describe how much God loved the world? The “so” in this verse does not say that God loved the world so much, but it shows how God loved the world. “God loved the world in this way – He gave His one and only Son …” This hymn stanza and Bible verse also declare that God’s act of love is greater than we can ever dream of! It is a substitutionary love – the Son of God took on mortal form. Why? FOR US! “For the lost to save.”

2. What does stanza 1 say we must do to be saved?

We must do nothing! Salvation is a gift. Many other denominations want to make the Christian have an active part in gaining faith. However, the Christian is passive when it comes to faith. We receive faith. God gives us the gift of salvation in His Son. The Holy Spirit grants us the faith to open that gift and make use of it.   

3. According to stanza 2, how do we know we are saved?

Unlike every false religion, Christianity affirms that God saves us. There is no question, no doubts. Because our confidence is in the deeds of God – “that God was made flesh and suffered death,” – we are not blown back and forth by changes in circumstance. Our salvation remains sure, for it is built on the solid rock of faith with Christ as the chief cornerstone. “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).

4. The Calvinists teach that God predestined some to be saved, so He must have also predestined some to be damned. How does stanza 3 correctly teach what the Bible says about salvation?

“God would not have the sinner die.” This is almost a direct quote of 1 Timothy 2:4 “[God] wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God wants all people to be saved. In order for that to take place, His Son died so that mankind might receive saving grace. Then the Holy Spirit works through the Means of Grace in the Word – stanza 3 – (and Sacraments) so that mankind might reach this blessed goal.

5. Are you saved? Based on stanza 4, how can you answer that question with complete confidence?

“Are you saved?” Every Christian is able to answer, “Yes!” with complete confidence, not because our faith is so strong, but because the object of our faith is so strong. Christ’s forgiveness won on the cross, justification in Jesus’ blood and the water of Holy Baptism give us complete confidence. Those who look to deeds, emotions or human decisions cannot understand our confidence. The promises of God, it would seem, are not enough for them. But for us, they result in faith, trust and confidence.

6. John 3:16, which this hymn is based upon, is a well-known and favorite hymn for many Christians. According to stanza 5, why does this Bible verse give such confidence when sick, troubled or dying?

Because death could not hold Jesus, it cannot hold us, either. The death of Christ on the cross was the death of death. His resurrection on the third day has given us the promise of an eternity of days with Him in heaven. “This is the anchor of my faith!”

7. To whom and for what do we sing our praises?

We join with the saints and angels in singing glory to God to our Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We give glory to each person of the Trinity, for each was active in our salvation – the Father who created us, the Son who redeemed us and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us. We are created, justified and cleansed in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. With that name placed on us in our Baptism, we can sing His praises now and eternally.