“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)
The previous portion of John Chapter 3 presented the foundational thinking of the Lord, as He reasoned with Nicodemus. Jesus spoke from the Law of Moses to talk about His pending appointment with the Cross, and the wellspring of eternal life which pours from it. This incredible conversation with the Teacher or Head Rabbi of Israel then tops off with John 3:16, the Bible verse which has captured the imagination of millions alive right now. It is more than important for us to examine the verse, not just in its entirety, but phrase by significant phrase to grasp what the Lord is saying. Each word therein, means the world to the salvation of those who put their faith and trust in Jesus, as Lord and Savior. These words are words of life, to us who believe.

JOHN 3:16 – IN DEPTH:
FOR GOD – In this manner or because He (the Lord) set His mind to ….
LOVED SO MUCH – The proof of God’s LOVE – AGAPE- is the many times He says He wishes all to come to repentance and faith. God did not create hell for people. Hell was created for the devil and his angels. People choose to go to hell due to their rebellion and turning away from God. But this love of God, this Agape, means one thing: God so wants the best for us, because He truly loves us, that He did what He did. The essence of God’s love here in John 3:16 is “agape”. This is a love so strong and divine that it only wants the best for another.

VERSE: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter”.(Matthew 7:21)

EQUATION: A person + Not born again in this Life = Eternally Separated from God on Judgment Day

ACTION: These words from Matthew 7:21, from the Great Judge Himself -Jesus- are, and will be the scariest words ever spoken. Make sure RIGHT NOW, that you or someone close you know, are NOT the one to whom they are spoken.
PRAYER: Oh great God and Father in Heaven, Who has given ALL men the means by which we must be saved, we cry out right now, first on our own behalf, that we are 100% right with You, that our sins are forgiven and that we have been accepted into the Family of God through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Master of our lives. We pray now, for those who have deluded themselves their entire lives, and we pray that they, while there is still breath in their bodies, that they come to a realization of their lost estate before You. Lord we pray they have that moment, or they may even encounter someone who will cause a pause for reflection that if they were to stand before You and You would ask them “why they should be let into Heaven”, that the right answer will be given. Father, so many people think they are Christians or going to Heaven, because they prayed a sinner’s prayer or went to church on Christmas Day or that they were born in a certain country. Open their eyes Lord! Open their dark hearts that they may see themselves as they truly are, before it is too late for them and bring their first awakening of the spirit in the inner man, that leads to repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and ruler of their lives. We pray and cry out right now, in His Precious and Holy Name, amen and amen.