John 3:16 opens with “God” being the subject who is about to perform an action. Nicodemus was familiar with the scriptures and had sought to do God’s will. But did he truly understand the character of God? Do we understand the character of God?

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It’s not just a New Testament concept that God came to save the lost. Throughout the Scriptures, we find that God has sought us. In Matthew 21, we find the analogy of messengers being sent to the evil tenants. Only after several attempts did the owner of the vineyard finally send his son. Obviously, Christ had to come and die—as no other ransom would have been sufficient. What we can see from this, however, is that God’s condescension to meet humanity was not limited to the time Christ walked on earth.

If we go back all the way to Genesis, immediately after sin, in Genesis 3:9, we find that “the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” God knows everything. “He obviously knew where they were, but he wanted them to know he was looking for them—in spite of their rebellion, rejection, and disobedience.”4

God’s desire to reach out to lost people is also exhibited in Luke 15 through the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. In all three instances, God is portrayed as seeking that which was lost. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd goes out to find the sheep that went astray. In the parable of the lost coin, the house was diligently swept. In both cases the lost item did not make steps to return—it couldn’t. Even in the story of the prodigal son, the Father was just waiting for his return so he could welcome him with a loving embrace. It was a knowledge of the father’s love that brought the son back home.

“We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

He didn’t simply love us. It says God so loved. Are you “able to comprehend . . . what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18, 19)? You are so loved.

This love is not demonstrated only to those who accept the promise of salvation. “The love of God embraces all mankind.”5 Because of God’s gift in offering Christ, the world continues to exist. Babies are born each day, enjoying food, sunshine, air, etc. Grace is bestowed on everyone, regardless of whether they chose to recognize the divine Giver or not. “It is through that one gift that every other is imparted to men. Daily the whole world receives blessing from God.”6

Christ’s mission here on earth was motivated by love. John 3:17 tells us, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” God didn’t send Christ to condemn us. No, we were already condemned. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NKJV).

His love doesn’t stop there. Christ’s death reveals that love is a permanent aspect of God’s character. “Neither life nor death, height nor depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus; not because we hold Him so firmly, but because He holds us so fast.”7

Remember, in John 3, Jesus was talking with Nicodemus. Unfortunately, the Jewish people of the time had the tendency to think that God’s love was only for them and nobody outside their group. They considered themselves the “chosen” people and felt a sense of superiority to the pagan heathen nations surrounding and often even occupying their land. Perhaps this came as a surprise to Nicodemus. Not only did God love him and his people—God’s love went beyond, even as far-reaching as the entire globe.

Each and every human being that has ever lived is included in this declaration of God’s love. No one’s left out. This Gift is addressed to all.

Let’s take a moment to look at some Old Testament passages emphasizing the all-inclusiveness of the invitation:

Genesis 12:3, God promised Abraham, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Not only would the blessing be for his descendants, but also for all families that would exist.

Isaiah 49:6, “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Psalm 96:3 instructs us to, “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.”

The “world” referenced in John 3:16 is a global, cross-cultural, multiethnic world. It’s a world filled with people of varying backgrounds and experiences. But they all share one thing in common: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because of that, all are in need of a Saviour.

“This speck of a world was the scene of the incarnation and suffering of the Son of God. Christ did not go to worlds unfallen, but He came to this world, all seared and marred with the curse. The outlook was not favorable, but most discouraging.”8 But the promise stood, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth” (Isaiah 42:4). [Emphasis added.]

God could have very easily just blotted this world out of existence and been done with it. But He didn’t. Instead, He saw fit to make it the expository of His goodness, the recipient of the greatest Gift love could ever bestow.

How many people included in the “world” that “God so loved” haven’t heard about that love? If somebody loved you, you probably would want to know about it, wouldn’t you? That’s why Christ’s commission to His followers to preach the gospel to all people” (Mark 16:15 GNT). Preach the Gospel—the Good News. In other words, let the world know that God so loved them too!

Love requires sacrifice.

Love is not just a word, not just a feeling. In order for it to be trusted, it must be exemplified. It must be demonstrated. It must be embodied. God’s love showed itself in a Gift. Not just any gift, oh no! It was everything. It was God Himself. It was death. It was necessary. It was optional. It was a choice. It was a sacrifice.

“The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift.”9

The Son of God subjected himself to a life of poverty and distress. He did not choose to live a life of royalty while in this world. He took upon Himself the form of a servant. He lived a normal childhood, faced with the taunts of boyhood years. He subjected Himself to the guidance and instruction of earthly parents. He underwent cruel mockery, was assailed by constant danger, and rarely experienced even the most basic conveniences of life. He suffered hunger. He traveled on foot to minister to souls or heal the afflicted. His life was a life of service.

“The Lord of life and glory did not consult His convenience or pleasure when He left His station of high command to become a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, accepting ignominy and death in order to deliver man from the consequence of his disobedience.”10

Christ died surrounded by criminals and tortured with agony. He took upon Himself the sins of the world and paid the price for our redemption. He was treated as we deserved to be treated. “The Son of man came . . . to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “Christ’s sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled.”11

God gave everything for you and me. What are you willing to sacrifice in return?

“The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. This spirit finds its highest manifestation in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. In our behalf the Father gave His only-begotten Son; and Christ, having given up all that He had, then gave Himself, that man might be saved. The cross of Calvary should appeal to the benevolence of every follower of the Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give, give. . . .

“On the other hand, the spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan. The principle illustrated in the lives of worldlings is to get, get.”12

Love is not selfish. Love gives.

“In His Son, God gave Himself to save from eternal ruin all who would believe in Him.”13

The King James Version of the Bible refers to Jesus as God’s “only begotten Son.” The term “only begotten” does not mean that He had a beginning (since He has always existed), but this rather refers to His uniqueness in relation to God and the created universe. The term “only begotten” is translated from the Greek word monogenes which literally means “unique,” “only,” or “only one of a kind.” What makes Jesus unique?

John declares Him to be “the Word,” equal in nature to God and always with Him (John 1:1). Paul refers to Him as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), and Hebrews refers to Him as “the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of his person” (Hebrews 1:3).

“The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right. He was equal with God, infinite and omnipotent.”14

Christ was the Creator, the one by whom the eternal Father made everything (John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). Being equal in essence with God, He is self-existent with an eternal lifespan. He has the same essence as the rest of the Godhead, all-powerful and all knowing. All the attributes of God are also attributable to Jesus. Their character is one and the same. Jesus had to clarify this in John 14:9, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?”

In beholding Jesus, we behold God Himself. As the one and only in the bosom of the Father from all eternity (John 1:18), Jesus was uniquely qualified to represent the Father to our world.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). [Emphasis added.]

There was no other hope of eternal salvation, than for Christ (who was One with the Father) to die on our behalf. A person could only pay the penalty for his or her own sin. Not even an angel’s death could suffice! “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour” (Isaiah 43:11).

Throughout His life on earth, Jesus’ unique relationship to God was brought into question (John 10:29–33). It was not until His resurrection from the dead, that His uniqueness as the divine Son of God was declared in power (Romans 1:4). In Acts 13:30–33, Paul proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection by God from the dead as the consummating fulfillment of Psalm 2:7, “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” “Through this man,” Paul affirmed to his hearers, “is preached unto you forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:38, 39).

Jesus Christ is the one and only way to salvation: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5, 6). “By His human nature He is linked with man, while through His divine nature He is one with the infinite God. Help is brought within the reach of perishing souls.”15 “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). There is no other way.

So far we’ve seen that God pursues us with perfect love that’s demonstrated through the gift of His Son. The question that comes next is: What’s our part? Up until this point, there’s been no action on our part. God showed the love. God paid the price. We didn’t deserve any of His goodness.

John 3:16 tells us: “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.” God did all this so that we could have an opportunity. The stipulation is that we believe. Anyone who believes receives. “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

Believing is the primary condition for eternal salvation. Believing is an action verb. It sets in motion a new life in Christ. As the result of believing, God invites us to join His family through baptism, a symbol of the cleansing He’s given us from sin. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

It doesn’t stop there, though. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). He will give power. He will work in you, transforming your life. And you’ll accept the changes He asks you to make because you believe that He knows what’s best.

•   Believe—Believe in the Lord with your whole heart•   Receive—Receive Christ as your personal Saviour•   Live—Walk in newness of life

“Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude.”16

A negative response to the invitation to believe in Jesus has an eternal consequence: final damnation in the judgment. We have a choice. You can choose to believe or choose not to believe—choose to accept the offer of forgiveness through Christ or not. The Lord doesn’t want to condemn anyone. “The Lord is . . . not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But He won’t force. His love is gentlemanly. We must accept it wholeheartedly in order for it to be efficacious to our salvation.

This phrase in the verse serves as a reminder that without Christ, we were destined to perish. All who do not accept the pleadings of mercy will have to meet their final judgment—to perish in the lake of fire and experience eternal death.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

If we believe and accept, Christ trades death for life. Instead of perishing, you’re invited to live with Him forever. “O what love, what matchless love! Fallen human beings may become so closely united with Christ that they are glorified with Him.”17

The promise of life after death offers hope to a hopeless world. But eternal life means more than just that. It starts here and now. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). “In other words, eternal life commences when we enter into a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”18

“As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ.”19

Eternal life means living with Christ, being vitalized by His power, following His lead. Eternal life means walking with God like Enoch did, so closely that God couldn’t stand to not take him to heaven with him. Eternal life implies a purpose-filled life, one of happiness and fulfillment. Accepting eternal life means embracing God’s love in all the facets of your life.

And of course, there’s the perk of going to heaven and living eternally. Heaven is cheap enough. The price has been paid. Will you believe?

Receiving everlasting life is more than simply never dying. It’s being in heaven, living in the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for His children. It’s being with Jesus forever. And it’ll be better than you can even imagine. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

“O what love! What wondrous love! The most exalted language cannot describe the glory of heaven, nor the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love.”20

“There is nothing so ennobling and invigorating as a study of the great themes which concern our eternal life.”21

We’ve looked briefly at this one verse: John 3:16. God wants to make this verse a reality in your life. There is still much more to learn about His love, His sacrifice, and His plan for your relationship with Him. I encourage you to explore eternal life by experiencing God’s love for yourself.

“In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ! ‘Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ ‘Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God’ 1 John 4:10; 3:1.

“In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives.”22