“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:15
Almost everyone has either heard or memorized 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.” However, have you ever stopped to understand what this verse really means?
In John 3:16, we are to recognize the way in which God loved the world. Because sin had entered into the world, there was a breach between God and man. The penalty for sin is death (see Romans 6:23). There was only one way to bridge that separation and give life. Because God is a loving and gracious God, He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world.“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God gave His Beloved Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for each individual person’s sin with His life. All one must do is believe upon Jesus, receiving this great gift. “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” (John 3:16). Can you better understand this verse now? Read the next verse in that passage to understand even better as to why Jesus came: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).
After reading both of those verses, understand that the gift of the pardon for sin is offered – all one has to do is receive it. This pardon from sin is understood as a promise from God – but only for those who accept that gift. God wanted each person in the world to be saved from the penalty of sin, however God allows each person to make the choice: believe unto salvation or believe not (“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” John 3:18).
Why would God, who is known for His great love, condemn people? Each person was already condemned because of that separation. God provided the way to be saved – leaving the decision up to each individual. People condemn themselves when they choose to not believe in Jesus (the Light, see John 8:12) and continue in sin. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Those who choose to not believe, love darkness – because their deeds are evil. Surprisingly, many people enjoy sin.
What if one chooses to continue in sin, rejecting the gift God offered? John summed up the consequences of rejecting this gift of Jesus in the last verse of that chapter. It tells what becomes of one who does not believe that Jesus came and died, living again, enabling Him to take away the sin of each individual who would only believe. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). This, too, is a promise.
No one talks about the wrath of God anymore. What exactly is the wrath of God? It is mentioned most often in the New Testament. One clear understanding of it is found in the reading of Romans chapter one. In that chapter, one can understand that God’s wrath is holy and just in its’ indignation against sin. It is so much more than just anger at the willingness of people to continue in sin, it is extreme anger mingled with disgust or abhorrence of that sin.
How can one escape the wrath of God. and choose this gift God offered? Remember what Jesus declared: “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15). It is declared simply in the Scriptures: “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). Because one receives the Lord Jesus, believing by faith, that one will be saved from God’s wrath. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:9).
Life is fleeting and short. No one knows what tomorrow may hold. It is up to each individual to decide. Choose life (eternal with Jesus), or receive the penalty for sin – the wrath of God abiding on him.
Each person has a choice to make:
- Believe on the Son and have everlasting life, or
- Believe not the Son and have the wrath of God abide upon them.
Have you chosen to receive the gift of salvation (life) by believing in Jesus?