Two men who were walking along a road which led by an orchard were talking together on various subjects, when one of them said:—
"Have you ever read what the Bible says to you; '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.
"But I do not see," said the other, "what it has to do with me."
"How so?" replied the first. "If you jump over this fence, and after having filled your pockets with fruit you read this notice on one of the trees, 'Whosoever trespasses on this property is liable to fine and imprisonment,' you would know very well that 'whosoever' meant you, and that you and nobody else would be liable for the penalty. That is clear enough, and when God has said that He has given His Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, does not that concern you? Yes, it is your name that is there.
Now you are hungry and out of work; if you should see' a notice signed by Carnegie that whosoever would call at his office at such a time would receive a hundred dollars, you would have no difficulty in thinking that it concerned you and you would soon be there to get the money. Whosoever is first for me, then for anyone else who puts in their claim, and so it is as to God's offer, and you may take home to yourself His declaration."
When God says He so loved the world, He speaks to you, whom He desires to save when he says "Whosoever," so you may write your name there."
"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever (write your name here) believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
You will also find many other passages where you will see that you can appropriate to yourself what is said, thus:—
"Whosoever" (write your name) "asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."Matt. 7:8.
"Whosoever" (pray do not write your name here) "was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev. 20: 15.
"Whosoever" (your name) "drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" John 4:14.
"Why did God send His beloved Son into the world?" An interesting question surely.
"But how do you know He did?"
"The Bible says so." "Then you believe the Bible to be the truth, and we will let it answer your question.
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.
What precious words and what but God's word could divulge the secret of His own bosom, and tell out the power that moved heaven and earth so save sinners!
Reader, God has let out the secret of His own heart, and answered the most important question ever raised. Does the answer satisfy you?
"The gospel of Christ... is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." Rom. 1:16.