"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 - NASB).
This verse is likely the most famous of the 31,173 in the Bible. What does it tell us about God?
God's wrath. The beauty of this text is enhanced by its ugly backdrop. All have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Rom. 1:18). That is why every man is in danger of perishing - eternally. "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).
God's love. God does not want man to perish. He said, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezek. 33:11). "God our Savior... desires all men to be saved..." (1 Tim. 2:4). God loves us despite our sins, despite our rebellion against Him. He loves us enough to make provision for our salvation. That brings us to...
God's Son. All of us are God's children in a broad sense (Acts 17:29). But because we are all sinners, none is in a position to remedy the problem of sin. God has another "son," a unique one (that is what only begotten literally means) who shares His divine nature. God loves us so much that He was willing to give that Son for us. Jesus came into the world, lived sinlessly, then died on our behalf, shedding His blood as the ransom for our sins (Matt. 20:28; 26:28). He rose from the dead and ascended back to the Father. There, He continues to work toward our salvation, serving as our king and priest (Heb. 7).
God's promise. Whereas we deserve eternal punishment because of our sins, God's promise is eternal life instead. Oh, the mighty grace of God! It matters not what we have done, it can all be forgiven in Christ. That is God's promise. And remember, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).
God's requirement. Notice in our text that God's promise is conditional. What does He require? Faith in His Son. "By grace you have been saved through faith" (Eph. 2:8). "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:9).
Do not think, however, that believing in Jesus is a one-time act or merely assent to who He is and what He has done for you. Saving faith is obedient faith. Jesus is the source of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36). Among other things, that obedience requires us to turn from our sins and be baptized into Jesus for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Have you so expressed your faith?
- The Manslick Road Speaker, April, 2007