John 3:16
You see John 3:16 all over the place. People put it on signs at football games. Tim Tebow even wore strips with it written on them under his eyes. Forever 21 had it on their shopping bags. In and out burger has it printed on the bottom of their cups. But what is the meaning behind it.
To find out the meaning we have to know the origin of John 3:16. The origin is the Bible. John 3:16 refers to the third chapter of John verse 16.
“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.”
It is the first Bible verse a child memorizes in Sunday school. It is important in that it shows the God doesn’t discriminate against anyone. He offers everlasting life(salvation) to whosoever believeth in Him. The verse doesn’t mention any specific person, race, gender or religious organization. Therefore one could insert their own name into the whosoever slot.
That means the verse is to you, yes you! Do you believe in the one and and only true God of the Bible? Do you want to have everlasting life?
When it talks about God giving His only Son what does that mean. It refers to Jesus who died on the cross and rose again three days later. God sent His son into the world to die for our sins. Ask yourself, would you send a love one to die for someone else. I am sure I would not. I may for someone I love give myself but to have someone I love die for someone else, I don’t think so. It is a good thing that I am not God.
What does it mean to believe in God?
Here is the dictionary description of believe in,
- to be persuaded of the truth or existence of:
- to have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc.,
When the verse says perish or die what does that mean does it just mean to pass away? Or does it mean eternal damnation? When it says everlasting life does that mean just living forever wherever that may be or living forever in heaven?
With just this verse it doesn’t give enough information to answer some of those questions. In order to get the full meaning of John 3:16 you must make sure it is read in context with the rest of the chapter of John as well as the rest of the Bible.
Taken out of context you can infer whatever you want from a single statement. When in context things get narrowed down to the truth.
What is clear is that God loved us enough to give up His only Son for you, no matter who you happen to be. He also offers eternal life. I implore you to continue studying the Word of God in order to keep things in context. Click Biblegateway to continue reading.
I personally believe that God sent Jesus to die for our sins.
Everyone has sinned.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Sin has consequences.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Can salvation/eternal life be earned? No!
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:5
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
John 1:12
12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
So we all have sinned and death in hell is the consequence. God gave us the gift of His Son who took our consequences when He died in our place. Jesus being the only one to live a sinless life rose from the dead after paying the debt of our sin. He asks that we repent of our sins and receive with faith the gift of salvation.
Do you really think that God, the all powerful Creator of the universe, would allow us to take credit for going to heaven? The answer is absolutely not there is nothing we can do to earn salvation.
Choose this day to serve the Lord Jesus! Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to be Lord of your life!
If you do not believe in the Lord you are condemned already!
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you in a way that would hit home to you. He doesn’t want anyone to perish but all to come to Him.
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Choose this day to serve the Lord Jesus! Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and to be Lord of your life!