From my reading in John 3:1-18 in the One Year New Testament.

The most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16. The reason is that in one verse, it gives a summary of the whole Bible.

“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.” John 3:16

For God so loved the world…

God loves the world. His love is unconditional. Even though we choose not to love God by sinning, he loved us enough to do something drastic.

That he gave his one and only Son…

God the Father sent Jesus down to earth to sacrifice himself for us.

Jesus was sent because of love.

Jesus taught us the most important command is to love.

Jesus demonstrated the ultimate love by sacrificing himself for us! 

That whoever believes in him…

The invitation is open to all who choose to believe in him. The word believe in this context is more than an intellectual belief. It is the act of putting your trust in something. For example, when I sit in a chair I believe it will hold me up. When you believe in Christ, you are transferring trust from yourself to Christ.

We each must make a choice to turn from our sins, accept his forgiveness through the cross, and decide to follow him!

Shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus came to save us from the consequences of our sin, which is hell. Because of our sin we all deserve to be separated from God for eternity.

Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross we don’t have to “perish” but can have eternal life in heaven with God.

When you make a choice to believe in Christ, your destination changes from eternal separation from God to Heaven!

If you have never placed your trust in Jesus, then I want to encourage you to do that today! Turn from your sin, believe Jesus died for you, and decide to follow and obey him with your life. If you do this, he will give you the gift of eternal life!

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