16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
There is a faith that results in a personal relationship with God, and there is a faith that results in living under the wrath of God. It is never our faith that makes the difference, it is always the object of that faith. Choosing not to place one's faith in the God of the Bible is the wrong choice. It is the belief that we can decide for ourselves that causes us to spend eternity in hell.
John 3:16 reveals a God who "so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." God sees the world differently than we do. When God looks at our world He sees the hopelessness and hurt, He sees the shame that fills each heart, and the subsequent misery that follows.
God's response to mankind's condition is that of love and not of anger. He is moved with love for the whole world who is trapped in damnation and hopelessness. That little word "so" is an important word: "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." The cross of the Lord Jesus defines this two letter word best. The greatest price tag ever placed on us was at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how much God loves His creation. The giving of v.16 is God sending His Son into the world on a mission from heaven to die for us, the guilty ones.
Recognize, too, the word "gave" which includes not only the coming of Jesus in the incarnation, but also His choice to be judged on the behalf of anyone who would receive His free gift. God could not just overlook our sin, He had to punish it. If He had overlooked sin, truth would no longer be truth for its foundation would have lost it undergirding. But, there was no one who could measure up, there was no one perfect enough to endure the penalty, except God Himself. The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is where God forgave us without lowering His standards.
In v.17 we learn that God did not send the Lord Jesus into this world to condemn us but to rescue us through His Son. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, we read, "God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace." There is no evidence in the scriptures that God sends man to hell. No, man chooses hell by rejecting the only ransom that will get him into heaven.
According to v.18, condemnation is the unforgiven persons state right now. The wrath of God is the absence of His love, and the wrath of God abides on those who have not believed and received the Lord Jesus' free gift. If we do not choose to leave condemnation, we remain in it.
Believing is the answer. It means that what the Lord Jesus did on that cross satisfied the righteous demands of God. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Believing means embracing something as true, it means to trust in Him. Believing is receiving. Our receiving isn’t based on another person’s faith; it’s based on our faith, and our believing is evidenced by our receiving.
In reference to believing, receiving is the application of intimacy with God. And, when we receive the very presence of God we are equipped to see Him, to recognize Him, with our hearts. This intimacy is made possible through the abiding Holy Spirit.
To contribute to BYM, click here
John 3:16 reveals a God who "so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." God sees the world differently than we do. When God looks at our world He sees the hopelessness and hurt, He sees the shame that fills each heart, and the subsequent misery that follows.
God's response to mankind's condition is that of love and not of anger. He is moved with love for the whole world who is trapped in damnation and hopelessness. That little word "so" is an important word: "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." The cross of the Lord Jesus defines this two letter word best. The greatest price tag ever placed on us was at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how much God loves His creation. The giving of v.16 is God sending His Son into the world on a mission from heaven to die for us, the guilty ones.
Recognize, too, the word "gave" which includes not only the coming of Jesus in the incarnation, but also His choice to be judged on the behalf of anyone who would receive His free gift. God could not just overlook our sin, He had to punish it. If He had overlooked sin, truth would no longer be truth for its foundation would have lost it undergirding. But, there was no one who could measure up, there was no one perfect enough to endure the penalty, except God Himself. The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is where God forgave us without lowering His standards.
In v.17 we learn that God did not send the Lord Jesus into this world to condemn us but to rescue us through His Son. In 2 Corinthians 5:19, we read, "God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold the world guilty of its sins. And he gave us this message of peace." There is no evidence in the scriptures that God sends man to hell. No, man chooses hell by rejecting the only ransom that will get him into heaven.
According to v.18, condemnation is the unforgiven persons state right now. The wrath of God is the absence of His love, and the wrath of God abides on those who have not believed and received the Lord Jesus' free gift. If we do not choose to leave condemnation, we remain in it.
Believing is the answer. It means that what the Lord Jesus did on that cross satisfied the righteous demands of God. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Believing means embracing something as true, it means to trust in Him. Believing is receiving. Our receiving isn’t based on another person’s faith; it’s based on our faith, and our believing is evidenced by our receiving.
In reference to believing, receiving is the application of intimacy with God. And, when we receive the very presence of God we are equipped to see Him, to recognize Him, with our hearts. This intimacy is made possible through the abiding Holy Spirit.
To contribute to BYM, click here
