I was 17.  Off to Bible school I went, leaving him behind.  He was much more serious than I intended to be … but how to say “no”?  I’m ashamed to say that by Thanksgiving time, I wrote my one and only “dear John” letter.  I’ve always said it was the coward’s way out.  It was “goodbye”.

I have received FOUR dear John letters!  Here are some of the things I have been told …

He was from the beginning

He is God

He became flesh and dwells with me

He takes away my sin

He’s a miracle worker

He knows what’s in my heart

He loves me SO much. He sent His only Son to die for me that I

might have eternal life

He gives me everlasting water

His words are life to me

He gives me rivers of living water

If I abide in Him, I shall know the truth and be free

He knows my name

He gives me life abundantly

He doesn’t want me to have a troubled heart

He has prepared a place for me in heaven

He has sent the Spirit of Truth

He has sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit

He has given me peace

He wants my joy to be complete

He is my friend

He chose me

He will turn my sorrow into joy that no one can take away

He PRAYS for me!

He wants me to be one with Him and the Father

He desires fellowship with me

He is light, and there is no darkness in Him

He says that if I confess my sin, He will cleanse me from ALL sin and  

He is faithful and just to forgive me from ALL unrighteousness

Jesus Christ is my advocate with the Father

He admonishes me to not love the world nor the things in the world

He wants me to abide in Him

He challenges me to love in deed and in truth

He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world

He tells me that love will cast out fear

If I ask anything according to His will, He hears me

He gives me grace, mercy, and peace

If I love Him … I will walk according to His commandments

He wants my soul to prosper and be in health

I bring Him great joy if I walk in truth

He tells me not to imitate evil, but what is good

WOW!  How different are the “dear John” letters that I have received than the one I wrote.  I didn’t love him … but He loves me!  

He has sent the same four “dear John” letters to you!  Have you read them?  The Gospel of John and I, II, and III John … right there in the New Testament.

Finally, John records the words of Jesus in 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  There is NO other way to heaven and eternal life with Jesus but through the confession of our sin, repentance, and acceptance of His sacrifice on Calvary.