In the last year or so I’ve been encountering the number 316 a lot—almost every few days. I am encountering the number everywhere: digital clocks , watches, street numbers, my professor’s laptop battery life, homework, receipts, pay checks, etc. Few weeks ago my dad was watching an Iraqi TV station because Iraq was having its second elections and on the top right corner of the screen the number 316 was displayed! I asked him about the number and he said, “That’s the election ballot number for some political party.â€
Every time I see the number 316 I remember John 3:16. This has been very encouraging to me because recently I have been uncertain about my place in Christ. Before it was very easy to come pray because I had a much closer relationship with Him, but now it is much harder. But when I remember 316 it encourages me to go pray by faith. It is much easier to pray confidently when we have “been goodâ€, but it takes much more faith to come pray when we do so because He is good.
“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
Every once in a while now I just get overwhelmed by His grace and His goodness to me, even though I know very well that I don’t deserve it. Through faith in His grace I am learning to be more joyful than ever. I am also learning to love Him because of who He is and not because of what He can offer me. I am learning to obey Him because He said so and I know it pleases Him, and not because of rewards and blessings He may give me if I obey Him.
It is much easier to live the Christian life like a mathematical formula: you input those unknowns and you get those values. But the Christian life is about loving God, our Heavenly Father, with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. There is no magical formula for love, because love is about life and relationships…both are unpredictable.
It is easy to accept trials and troubles when our view about the Christian life is that we are to suffer for Christ. It is also easy to accept blessings when our view about the Christian life is that God wants to bless us all the time. But it takes faith to accept both trials and blessings as God sends them in His timing.
I am saved because Jesus Christ paid my sin debt in full on the cross. I am not saved 99.99% because of His blood and 0.01% by my good deeds. No, I am saved only because I am washed by His blood. And the only reason I can pray confidently is because the death of God’s Son on the cross reconciled me to the Father.
So if you want to talk to the Father in prayer, but don’t feel like it because you know your sins have separated you from Him, then do it by faith knowing that God “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.â€
“who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ” 1 Timothy 2:4-6
7 thoughts on “316-Isn’t It Enough For Me?”
Thank the Lord Jesus Christ for you posting this. I have had the exact same thing happening to me for about the past 2 or 3 years. I always see the number “316” in mostly everything I do. I always remember John 3:16, and even my own Mother told me that despite all of the trials and tribulations we go through here on this fallen world HE throws that number in there to remind you that since I already believe in Him, you aren’t going to perish but shall have eternal life and be with Him in Paradise one day soon. John 3:16 always gives me that extra faith in knowing that he’s there despite what the enemy always tries to throw into your mind. Jesus Christ is indeed awesome and Loves US with a love that has no limit.
Thank you. He is good indeed and what are we but undeserving sinners saved by His grace alone.
Very good article Fadi, really an uplifting message, really shows how far and wide the Grace of God really spreads. Even in our unworthiness He still loves and cares for us, yes its a love that we cannot comprehend, just the thought that He sent His ONLY Son to die such a cruel death on the cross for our sin, is so powerful..316 is enough indeed.
Fadi great article to share. I think we all needed re-assurance and to remember that he is always there.
It amazes me that even though we sometimes drift away and don’t give him enough time, He still shows us how much he cares by taking care of our smallest thoughts and wishes.
Jared I think your comment just made me realize why I haven’t been so patient with some people at work. Thanks
Our God is great.
WOW, nice! thanks!! 🙂
Very Good post! It’s important for us all to remember that God doesn’t expect us to be living right or even trusting Him when we come to Him. He makes that change when we accept Him and He is the only one that can make it.
In reference to prayer I like 1 Thess. 5:17 – Pray without ceasing. It’s straight to the point and there’s really no room for error. Just because we say Amen doesn’t mean the prayer is over. Amen just means “truly”, not goodbye.
And lastly, I know that patience is something learned and refined, it’s not something everyone just has. I’ve noticed that I’m much more patient with people when I’m closer to God. The more I drift away I notice myself getting irritated more frequently. Keep in mind the praying without ceasing and it will truly help you with your patience and relationship with Jesus.
Nice article Fadi, I can relate, I think everyone has been to that place where they feel slightly distant from Him, but the Lord is literally always there for us. Sometimes in our earthly mind sets “I’d put it”- we feel because we miss the mark at times he doesn’t listen to us, we feel we’ve let Him down so we in our adamic nature run!-that is from prayer :). The one thing I’ve found out since coming to the Lord one year now is that; when we/I fail or miss the mark Lord somehow still has his arms open to me, revealing the never ending love He has towards me, and its SO AMAZING!!! hahaaaaa.peace.