What is the greatest verse in all the Bible? Of course, that is a matter of opinion, but I personally believe it is 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."
This is the center of our faith—the center of our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ! Packed in this one verse is a powerful proclamation of the Gospel, giving light to a world in darkness. It is quoted often and preached much but you can never reach the end of it’s inexhaustible truths!
We conclude our study of JESUS: The Only Way with a close look into this verse. Notice:
The Origin of Salvation – “For God…”
The first to words hold the key of understanding Who holds our salvation—God. Salvation is not by:
Church membership or attendance
Mom or dad’s faith
Your pastor’s faith
Its not even through praying a prayer. Lost people can pray.
Good works (Eph 2:8-10)
We cannot earn our way to heaven. Salvation is by God and God alone. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
The Offering of the Savior – “gave his only begotten Son”
Talk is cheap! It’s one thing to say something and another thing to do it! Aren’t you glad God dint just say He loved us but His loved moved Him to action. He gave His Son Jesus Christ as “a ransom for many.”
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
Paul said in Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”
Jesus came to this earth to die on a cross for your sins and mine. He paid the penalty for our sin that “…we should be called the sons of God.” (I John 3:1). It’s His free gift. And here’s the amazing thing;
Jesus didn’t just die for you, He died as you!
He literally took your place on the cross and “he became sin for us, who knew no sin…” (II Corinthians 5:21). And after conquering death, Hell and the grave He triumphantly rose again and is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven! (Hebrews 1:13) That is the Gospel—the Good News!
The Opportunity for the Sinner – “whosoever believeth”
Whosoever means anybody. Some people teach that God is so sovereign He picks and chooses who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell. But I am thankful for versus like this that teach the contrary.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.
Christian, how many lost people have you shown this opportunity to? We must be busy telling others that there is salvation to all who believes in the Lod Jesus Christ!
The Order of Sin – “perish”
There is an order to sin.
James 1:14-15 tells us, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Death is separation from God for all of eternity – this is the worst part bout Hell. Its not the darkness or the flames of fire, it is living for all of eternity without hope in God.
We all are sinners because we all have a sin nature passed down from Adam. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”( Romans 5:12). Just like it’s a dog’s nature to bark, it’s your nature to sin.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
The Ornament of the Saint – “everlasting life”
Your everlasting life doesn’t start the moment you go to Heaven, but it starts the moment Jesus comes into your life! He has given you breathe today. Why?—for a divine purpose.
God didn’t just save you from something, He saved you for something!
There is so much that Christ give us when we get saved! We have:
Life – The world is scared to death of death, (John 10:10) but we have promise of life.
Purpose – The world longs for meaning and purpose. (Ps 37:5)
Truth – The world is begging for answers but we have truth in Jesus! (John 14:6)
Rest – The world wants rest for their soul but we can have rest for our souls. (Matt 11:28)
If you have never experienced this gift of eternal life, Jesus is pleading with you. He wants to save you! Please feel free to contact us if you’d like someone to pray with and help you better understand that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY!
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