Off-limits

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

As a 12-year-old, I was curious about the Bible my dad was given when he retired from the paper mill. It came in a special cedar box marked THE HOLY BIBLE, and I assumed that “holy” meant it was off-limits to me. But still I peered inside. In the center of the Bible was a picture of Jesus hanging on the cross, along with the words of John 3:16. There was also a see-through red film covering the page, which I assumed meant He bled and died.

Occasionally, when no one else was looking, I would gently pull the holy Book off the shelf, open the box, look at the picture of Jesus on the cross, read the verse, and wonder about this Man and why He died. I wondered if His love was meant for me or if it too was off-limits.

Several years later I heard a message about how God had provided access to His love through Jesus. Romans 5:1-2 tells us: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” I believed and received Jesus’ salvation from my sin.

Aren’t you thankful that the Bible and God’s love aren’t off-limits? Receive His forgiveness — it’s meant for unholy people like you and me.   — Anne Cetas

How precious is God’s holy

Word — Its pages every one!

They lead us to the Living Word —

To Jesus, God’s dear Son. — D. De Haan

 READ: Romans 5:1-8

The Bible is God’s love letter to us.

The Bible in one year:

• Jeremiah 27-29