For God So Loved … : John 3:16 [Tract]

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A simple explanation of John 3:16.

Full text of For God So Loved

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.

John 3:16

John 3:16

This Bible verse, which you may have just read on the front of this leaflet, is perhaps the most-quoted verse in the Bible — but millions miss its wonderful message that came from the lips of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, concerning Himself. Let us consider it together.

God

Because God is, we are. You and I and all that we see exist because God is our Creator, and you and I and all that we see were purposefully created by Him and for Him. Everything begins with God — and everything depends on who He is, what He is like, and what He does.

so loved

God is the supremely caring Creator. Because He is infinite (unlimited), He has infinite (unlimited) love — unlimited in power, richness and scope. Nobody loves as God loves. That little word “so” encompasses infinity. That is how richly God loves — how great His love is. His love is like Him — beyond comprehension and beyond imagination, just as He is. Consider His great love focused on you.

the world

The world is people — all people, including the best and the worst — you and me. God’s love is absolute and all-inclusive — regardless of who we are or what we may have done — all because of who God is, not because of who we are or what we may have done. He really and truly loves you and me. Jesus said so.

that He gave His only begotten Son

God is the infinitely great Giver. This leaflet and the eyesight with which you read it are given by God. But God gave the ultimate love-gift when He gave His Son, Jesus, to die in our place, for your sins and mine. The term “only begotten” describes how unique Jesus is. He was infinitely precious to God, and He didn’t deserve to die on the cross. We did. That God gave His only begotten Son is the dramatic proof of God’s great love — and His giving was not merely a gesture of love. God’s giving has equally dramatic consequences.

that whosoever

God is a perfectly impartial and infinitely generous giver — to anyone, anybody, each one, and everyone anywhere who will simply accept His love and His great Gift of Jesus as Savior. He loves you — whoever and whatever you are — and He sent Jesus for you.

believeth in Him

Believing is faith in action. God has acted and has told us what He has done and why. Are you willing to accept what God has said as absolute truth? It is a matter of the heart and of the will. God does not ask us or expect us to understand all that He does and says, but He righteously requires us to trust Him and to believe His Word. God is worthy of our trust. Jesus is worthy of our trust. They have proved it. Do you believe God? If you do, why not tell Him so now?

should not perish

Everywhere we look, we see the effects of sin. Everything decays, decomposes, deteriorates, dies, rots or rusts — including civilization and society. Death is the result of sin, and people who die in their sins perish. But that is not what our holy and loving God wants — He does not want us to perish — does not want us to be eternally punished for sin because of being eternally ruined by sin!

but have everlasting life

Eternal life — everlasting life — is God’s awesome alternative. This is the life that suits heaven and God’s forever family members. It is incorruptible — perfect and permanent. It is life in and through the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. God gives it, and God guarantees it. It is a free gift, and it is a freeing gift — freeing from sin and bringing those who have it into a real and rich relationship with God. God is so eager to give this everlasting life that if you have believed what God has said and have received Jesus as Savior, you already have it.

“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” (John 3:16).

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“The Lord is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12).