“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word   was God.”  John 1:1
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14
“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.” John 3:16
 
I had never put these verses together in this way, but for me it clearly shows God’s plan for man’s salvation because of His love that passes understanding.
 
Genesis 1:1 tells us that God is outside of time and space.  He is!  And He creates!  And we know He speaks because Vs. 3 tells us, 
“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.”
GOD IS, HE CREATES AND HE SPEAKS!
 
John 1:1 tells us of Christ.  
    He preexisted (In the beginning was the Word)
    He coexisted (the Word was with God)
    His is a divine existence (the Word was God)
 
John 1:14 tells us that the Word, is the incarnate Son of God and He is Jesus Christ.  He came to dwell among us, we beheld His glory, and He was full of grace and truth.  
(Incarnate: embodied in flesh.)
 
John 1:17 says,
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth through Jesus Christ.”
 
John 3:16, tells us of God’s great love,  A love that is beyond human comprehension--a love for the world (sinful mankind).  His love was so great that He even gave His One and Only Son to pay our sin debt!  And what was sinful man to do?  Believe! 
“Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
 
In John 14:6 He tells us,
“…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
 
John 3:35-36,
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
 
I am so grateful that the Lord has put these four verses together for me.  In memory of them, for me, they encompasses the plan of salvation.  They are at hand to share as in 1 Peter 3:15,
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…”
 
Believers, it is my hope that the opening verses will draw you to a further study of the Word; invest time in the Bible.  How blessed we are in this country to have Bibles, commentaries, Bible studies, churches, music -- all this! And so many do not partake!  Then we hear of hungry hearts who make sacrifices for just a tiny bit of any of these. 
 
“Father, we are prone before Your throne of grace for these beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.  Protect and feed Lord from Your unending supply.  For we do ask in Jesus name.  Amen”   
 
We thank you most holy gracious God for your perfect plan and purpose for all of mankind.  You desire that none should perish.
2 Peter 3:9 tells us,
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Lord, we love, adore and give you all the glory!  Amen