If you were asked what are the most wonderful words ever written, what would you say? Many would answer with these words which most of you can repeat:
“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.”
Who said those words? The Lord Jesus said them to the wise man who came to Him at night, and they have been written for all to know. Many reasons that make them the most wonderful words. First, they are true words, said by One who knew and had authority. Second they are meant for all — for the people then and the people ever since — and they were given so simply that all can understand. It is the same Gift for all, and the same way to receive it.
We do not think what a blessed and wonderful promise “everlasting life” is, because we know only our short life here, which we think will go on and on with sunshine, air and all we need. But because of sin, life here ends. However, everyone has a soul which can not be in God’s presence because of sin, unless He gives life.
Perish
That is what to “perish” means in Jesus’ words — to be away from God in darkness, and that forever. He had already shown the man he talked with that all had sinned, like the people in the desert. That God sent His Son to save all shows all have sinned. The word “whosoever,” means it is for any person and every person.
That is one reason this gift is so wonderful; the people who receive it have not done anything to deserve it. They would perish forever unless He gave the gift. It would have been wonderful if God had offered to save one nation, but He offers to save all who will accept His gift, His Son, to have everlasting life in Him.
The Living One
God has given to all the natural life we have here; “He giveth to all, life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25,28). How surely then eternal life must be from Him. When the first man and woman sinned, God gave promise to One to come to save. Adam believed such a Living One would come, and so did all who believed God’s words after him.
The Lord Jesus was that Living One who has come. Say His words over and over, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,” until you know you have believed Him; for after those words, He told the man other words not so pleasant, but ones we must know, too.
He said, “He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
To condemn means for a judge to say a person is guilty of wrong and will be punished. God has said every one who does not believe His Son is guilty. Punishment is waiting, not because of the things he has done, but because he does not believe God’s Son, the Lord Jesus.
Further Meditation:
1. What does “whosoever” mean?
2. What does it mean that the gospel, while offered to everyone, must be personal?
3. God’s Way of Salvation by A. Marshall provides an excellent and simple presentation of God’s message of love and warning for everyone.