John 3:16-21

John 3:16-21 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I was listening to a Tim Keller sermon last night, and he was discussing judgment and the work of the Holy Spirit.  The part that stuck out to me was that God isn't letting us off the hook repeatedly for our sins, filling out the proper paperwork each time we fall short -- instead, the Holy Spirit is reminding us that the justice of God is on your side.  As Rev. Keller said, it would be unjust of God to take two payments for the same sin, and our sins have been paid for.  Once Jesus paid the price for our sins, which he did with finality at Calvary, there is nothing left to be done to atone for our sins -- the price has been paid, and since it has been paid, it is in alignment with God's justice that we receive the reward that comes with the atonement for our sins. 
  And God doesn't do this grudgingly, as though God's realized that the people God created aren't all they were cracked up to be.  God doesn't regret creating us -- God willingly pours love and grace into our lives, and when the price of redemption totals up to the life of God's own Son, God freely gives that to us as well, knowing that it is worth it, knowing that death is but a temporary power anyway.
  God created you out of love, and that same love redeems you and seeks you and holds you for eternity.  Eternal life is a free gift to those who believe, for God came to save, and by the blood of the Lamb, we have been saved, thanks be to God!