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.
There is not a greater verse in scripture. It sums it all and condenses
it into a verse that is easily understood, eternal and all inclusive in
its scope.
"For God": God is the author and initiator. Man has no part in
the design nor instigation of the action pictured in this verse. God did
not do this because man asked for it nor did He do it because man
deserved it. ("For God": The greatest God)
"So loved": The reason for it all is God's love. Not that we
loved but that God loved. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first
loved us. This love from God manifested itself in the greatest act of
love. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends. (" So loved": The greatest love)
"The world": It encompasses every race and people on
the earth. It includes every land and nation. ("The world:" The greatest
reach of love)
"That He gave": God's love is shown through His giving.
God's gift to us is shown it the magnitude of His gift of His only
begotten Son. 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable
gift. God the Father gave us the gift of His Son that we might have
life. This gift is the charity of God. Charity because it is a gift
without anything in return. Charity by it's expression is a gift to
someone who cannot repay. It is the gift of love that expects nothing in
return but a grateful heart of love and trust, back to the one who gave
the gift. The flip side is that God the Father also gave us to Jesus as
a gift to Him for His obedience and sacrifice. In Jesus' great prayer
(John 17) shortly before His crucifixion He prayed to the Father in the
presence of His disciples: "Father, I will that they also, whom thou
hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory,
which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of
the world." (John 17:24 )
"His only begotten Son": His gift to us was what He loved most.
He did not scrimp. His gift to us was more precious than all the wealth
of the universe. Not only was the gift precious but it was unique. Jesus
was His only begotten Son. There wasn't another. ("He gave His only
begotten Son": the greatest gift)
"That whosoever" That's me and that's you. It does away
with "predestination to salvation or hell in one verse. Romans 2:11 For
there is no respect of persons with God. ("whosoever": the greatest
inclusion. It leaves no one out)
"Believeth in Him": The only part we play in salvation
is belief in Jesus. Works will not do the job. (Eph. 2:8-10, Jn. 6:29)
As we have already said it is a heart belief. This belief encompasses
faith, trust and repentance for without either you have not believed
from the heart. To know Christ is to know your own worthlessness.
Repentance and humility are a natural part of it. ("That whosoever
believeth in Him:" The greatest opportunity and response we can give)
"Should not perish, but have everlasting life": The
greatest result. God's promise to us is that if we will meet His
condition of believing in Jesus Christ, not just from the head but from
the heart. We will never perish (the greatest punishment) but have life
without end. There is no greater promise than this and it truly shows
God's eternal love for us. The everlasting life (eternal life in vs. 15)
starts when a person is "born again". We do not have to wait for the
resurrection.(Jn. 5:24, Jn. 6:50, Jn. 8:51-52, Rom. 8:13-14, 1 Jn.
3:1-2) ("Should not perish, but have everlasting life: " The greatest
destiny of man)
John 3:16 Bible Study presented by Brother Dwight
Poetry Corner
Lord Remember Me
L ight of this world
O ur crown, our reward
R emember me Saviour
D eliver me , Lord.
R iver of Life, round Your throne
E nlightened souls, Your glory known
M ountains and valleys call Your name
E ven the fields proclaim the same
M any , have You touched and healed
B y your compassionate Love revealed
E arth bows down to her mighty King...
R ejoicing in Your laboring.
M y Lord, holder of Heaven’s key
E ternal Father, remember me.
Luke 23:42
And he said unto Jesus, Lord,
remember me when
thou comest into thy kingdom.
Julie Pisacane © 2007