A big gospel campaign was going on in the city, conducted by a famous preacher. One young man was curious to see what it was all about. The crowds were too great; he could not get inside at first, but he kept trying, moving a little this way and a little that, until he was inside the big arena. He was just in time to hear one last verse the preacher was quoting: “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 3:1616For 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)). Then the flow of people leaving swept him back out onto the street.
On his way home the words rang in his ears, “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish.” He knew that verse! As a child his mother had taught it to him, but like many others he knew nothing of the truth within the words.
The Holy Spirit kept the verse before his mind. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son”; well, that is wonderful love!
Why did He give up Jesus to die? “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Really, I have thought very little about this subject! “Should not perish”-I know I am not prepared to meet God; I know I have not everlasting life, and if I were dying now I should perish eternally. Again and again he revolved the verse in his mind. “God so loved the world”-I am one of the “world.” God so loved me that He gave His only begotten Son for me, that if I believe in Jesus I shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Believe what? That God so loved ME as to give up His Son to die for MY SINS on the cross. Whosoever believeth on Jesus shall not perish. I believe on Jesus, and God says that I shall not perish and that I have everlasting life! With this simple reasoning the truth burst on his soul, and peace filled his heart.
On reaching home he told his mother he had gone to hear the famous speaker.
“And how did you like him?”
“I did not hear his address, but, Mother, I am saved and know my sins are forgiven.”
“How do you know that?” asked his mother.
Opening a Bible, he read the verse which had been the means of giving him peace.
On hearing it she said, “There is nothing new in that verse. I knew it before you were born and taught it to you when you were very young.”
“But Mother, do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?”
“Of course I do; I always believed on Jesus.”
“Then, Mother, if that is so, you are saved.”
“I cannot say that; I cannot say I have everlasting life.”
“Then be sure, Mother, you do NOT believe on Jesus, for God has said in this wonderful verse that all who believe on Jesus are saved and will never perish.”
She took the Bible and read the passage for herself: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The glorious truth that Christ had died in her place and borne her sins in His own body on the cross penetrated her heart, and she saw that, according to the word of Him that cannot lie, she was saved and had everlasting life. That evening the mother and son rejoiced together in the knowledge of sins forgiven through the precious blood of the Lord Jesus.
What do you think of this? Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?
“Oh, yes,” you reply; “I have always believed in Him.”
Let me say to you, in all love, that no one has ALWAYS believed in Jesus. Let me ask a question: Is your soul safe for eternity?
“I cannot answer that,” you reply.
But the Word of God declares, “Whosoever believeth in Him [Jesus] hath everlasting life,” and, “all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)). Everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is saved and has God’s certain promise that he will not come into judgment for his sins. Isn’t it wonderful?