For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

Even so it is not the will of your father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:11-14.

We see in the above passage the unconditional love of God; such love that could be found no where else, but the presence of our heavenly Father.

God does not desire any one of us to be lost. It was this same love that made Him send His only begotten son to die for us in order that we who had been lost might be saved.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

So you see, God gave His only begotten son to save the world; what depth of love. We all know how costly a sacrifice it is to give the only thing that we have and cherish.

Does God not love His only son?

God so much love his only Son and so he called Him “beloved”. After the baptism of Jesus by John the baptist, the Spirit of God descended upon Him like a dove, and a voice was heard fro heaven saying “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11).

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand” (John 3:35).

“For the Father loveth the Son, and shewth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these that ye may marvel” (John 5:20).

So, we know beyond all doubts that the Father dearly loves the Son. But God had to give up that which he loves that His will, and His devine mandate of salvation might be fulfilled.

Love earnestly desires that we sacrifice sometime dear to us for the one whom we love. This sacrifice could be time, resources, or any other thing dear to us. No wonder David said he will not give to God that which costs him nothing.

But God gives us new ways in which to prove our love for Him today. It is simple “if you love me, keep my commandments” (Matthew 14:15; 21). But is it easily done as said?

That is where we need the holy Spirit.

Christ before His Ascension, promised not to leave the disciples without a comforter, but would send the holy Spirit who is also the Advocate, and Paraclete, and was going to reveal all things to them (John 14: 16-18). 

The work of the holy Spirit is also to teach us more about Jesus the Christ, and to make our walk with Him simple.

How often too, do we waver in faith today if we encounter a test of faith. If God gave that which he loved to save the world, we should know too that from time to time, God may need to purify us as gold is purified in fire through tests and trials, but He assures us that none will be greater than our faith, and the grace we portend is able to withstand.

So God does not will that any should be lost. This also formed one of the bases for Christ’s last prayers. He said none of those you gave me was lost, except the one that went as it was written.

Like the Parable of the prodigal son, God’s arms are always wide open seeking that we may return from our straying. But that is possible while we live on earth. This is where the grace of God abound, but that grace ceases the moment we cross this border; and we do not hold the times.

We should therefore seek God when He may be found, and in the days of our youth when our strength abide, for in the night, who can work?