John
3:16
“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.”
Please
let me explain. There is only one true and living God, creator of all, to whom
all humanity is accountable. Although He is very great, His personal interest
in this world, is very active. He is not so much interested in the world
systems, but rather the people He created for connection with Himself.
Something went wrong and most of the
people of the earth live in disconnect from God. Judgement would justly invoke
punishment, but God chose to present His final remedy – not in the law given by
Moses, nor the voice of the godly prophets or the faltering kings. No. God has
spoken finally in the visible, tangible presence of His Son Jesus the Christ. The Son perfectly represents God the Father.
Jesus
did much more than teach. He chose to live in real humanity.
Only
one person could be described as ‘the only begotten Son’ – Jesus. It means –
existing before He was born of Mary, abiding in the bosom of the Father, coming
forth to uniquely show what God is like.
“The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of
the world”
He
came more than 2000 years ago – some received Him, many rejected Him.
God
announced from heaven “This is my Beloved Son, listen to Him” (Mark 9:7)
Then and now, the vital element for
connecting with God is to receive His Son, believe in Him, trust Him. Faith
focused on Him is the means to forgiveness, justification, sanctification,
eternal life. Believing in Him produces behaviour that pleases Him – born from
above into the family of God!
‘Whosoever
‘ means everyone. The promise given is sure for all who believe on the Son ,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
‘Believeth’
is present continuous tense – continuing to live by faith in Him.
‘Should
not’ is in old English quite definite, not doubtful.
‘Perish’
– more than a wasted life. The consequences of sin and unbelief are severe and
eternal. Not loss of being, but rather loss of well being.
‘Eternal
life’ – more than a good life now. God’s design is for each believer is to be in His family, in his home (Heaven)
with joyful connection to God forever.
A nurse I know, sat beside a dying
unbeliever. As he passed away his face was contorted with extreme horror. The
same nurse sat beside a dying unconscious believer. He awoke for a moment, his
face beamed with delight and then he was gone.
What have you done with the greatest
expression of God’s love? Will you receive “the Son” and be assured of the
promise of eternal life?
Another
promise describes the extent of God’s love:
“God
showed His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.” ( Romans 5:8)
“
This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone
who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NLT)
