The Best-Known Verse
John 3:16 states “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Have you ever read something and then realized you really didn’t pay attention to what you just read? I’m talking about to the point where you probably should go read it again, and again, and again. I think sometimes people do that with this verse, because there are many times when I say “…there’s only one way to heaven, and that’s found in John 3:16…” and after I reiterate it to them a couple more times, they say “…you make it seem so easy!”
Well, that’s because it IS THAT EASY!!! Sinning doesn’t keep you from heaven. Being lost keeps you from heaven. If you sit down and believe in your heart what God did for us that fateful day, and believe why he did it, then it’s done! You’re in!
What did God do? Something people need to realize is there was nothing special about Mary, Jesus’ mother. Mary was a simple, poor, young girl that loved God. So Jesus was born and lived of the flesh as a testimony to us that he was subjected to the sins of the flesh just like us. He never got any special treatment. He even went into the desert to give Satan a chance, and still over came any sin thrown at him. Finally after all that work, he was put onto the cross. Now here’s the important part. Just before Jesus died on the cross, all of the sins of the past, present, AND future were put on him in front of God. Well, if you notice in the Old Testament the ultimate price for sin is Death. The sin, upon God’s son, was so shameful that God even turned from his own son! Jesus even said “…My God, why have you forsaken me?” That is how bad sin is! But get this…sin did not win because JESUS ROSE AGAIN! By Jesus rising again he defeated death! This is why the act of dying for OUR sins should not go unforgotten.
Why did God send his son? Well, take a look at the next verse…17 – “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Saved from what? Now death isn’t just to ’stop breathing,’ but to be cast into the lake of fire and forever be without God. Romans 1 says how ‘man has rejected God’ and that proof of rejection is abounded. Just read your headlines! Well, he sent his son to save us from death. Imagine a life without God…can’t do it can you….It’s THAT scary!
But guess what…because God did that for us? We have a chance! When we sin, we have a chance at redemption!!!
So is it that simple? YES, it’s as simple as believing what Jesus did for us, and why, and we shall “…have everlasting life.”
‘Father I thank you for what you did for me, and I truly believe with ALL of my heart that it is the truth. Please come into my heart, and lead me to your kingdom that I too may have everlasting life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.’
