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16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.



that

“That” expresses purpose that serves as the means. God’s love and His gift tally to attain the means by which He wanted to save man. God actually provided the means of salvation—belief in the person and the work of His beloved Son.

whoever

God gives every person universally the option of freedom to believe. This promise includes anyone, no matter how much he has sinned or is alienated to God.

believes in Him

God gives every person the option of choice to believe in His provision of salvation. John used “believe” four times in verses 16-18. As far as the Bible is concerned, there are only two kinds of people—those who believe and those who do not.

PRINCIPLE:

Belief in Christ consists in accepting something, not doing something.

APPLICATION:

God included everyone in His redemptive plan. Salvation requires the choice to believe. However, it is not faith that saves us but the object of our faith, the One who died for our sins. Belief in Christ’s death to pay for our sins is the only condition for salvation. This is why this gospel uses the term for “to believe” 98 times.

Those who believe in Him receive spiritual birth (Jn 3:3, 5), eternal life (Jn 3:15-16), and salvation (Jn 3:17).

Have you come to the place where you believe God’s means of salvation? Do you believe that God’s gift of sacrificing Jesus for your sins will save you?

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