John 3:16-2116For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:16‑21)
If you were asked what were the most wonderful words ever written as said on earth, 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. There are many reasons that make them the most wonderful words; first, that they are true words, said by One Who knew and had authority: then they are meant for all,—for the people then and the people ever since, and they were given so simply all can understand; then 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, and which we think will go on and on with sunshine, air and all we need. But because of sin, life here ends, but everyone has a soul which could not be in God’s presence because of sin, except He gives life.
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 wonderful, the people to receive it is have not done anything to deserve it, would perish forever except 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, in Him to have everlasting life.
God has given all the natural life we have here, “He giveth to all, life, and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25-2825Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:25‑28)), how surely eternal life must be from Him. When the first man and woman sinned, God gave promise of One to come to save; Adam believed such a Living One would come, 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 other man of words not so pleasant, yet which we must know, too.
He said, “He that believeth is not 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: so God has said everyone who does not believe His Son is guilty, punishment is waiting, not because of the things they have done, because they do not believe His Son the Lord Jesus.
ML 06/30/1946