John 3:16
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
Many have heard this verse at least one time in their lives, but what does it really mean? We know that God loves us, but we do we really know what love is? “God’s love is something which passes knowledge. It’s love beyond definition; beyond the most beautiful words in your language. It’s love in a way that can’t be adequately defined by the human tongue, filling you with itself!” (Beginning the 3:16 Journey). As you read on, please keep in mind, that God’s love is not a love that is abusive, hurtful, or vengeful – it is a pure love, an unconditional love.
As mentioned above, God loves you! He created you! And you were placed on this earth for a reason. However, there is something that can separate from His love – and that is Sin. And the Bible says that we have all sinned- that in fact we were born into sin. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 NKJV and Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me”. No matter who you are or how hard you may have tried throughout life to do the right thing- we have all sinned. And according to the Word of God- the punishment of sin is death “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NKJV
So, what exactly does this mean? In the book Beginning the 3:16 Journey, Pastor Niral Burnett writes “In the final days of mankind as we know it, the scriptures tell us that “…death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:13-15) We see here that if your name is not written in the Book of Life, then you will be cast into the lake of fire.
But this is where John 3:16 comes into play, if we trust and believe in God we are able to repent and spend eternity with Him. ” The Son of God was given so that those who believe would not eternally perish. This all happened because of the cross – the centerpiece of all human history. The Son was given by the Father to be a perfect sacrifice for the iniquity of mankind. The wrath of God towards us all because of our sins has been stayed, enabling us to commune with God according to our original design – His perfect image (Beginning the 3:16 Journey)”. By trusting and believing in God, you can escape the penalty of sin, which is death, and have eternal life. You can start here by praying this prayer of repentance and salvation.
Dear Father, I come to you a sinner, in need of salvation. I acknowledge that I have sinned, and fallen short of God’s standard, and am in desperate need of a Savior. I ask for forgiveness of my sins, in full repentance of the sins I have committed. By faith, I believe that Jesus died on the cross to take away my sins, so that I can become righteous through His grace, alone. I accept my salvation by grace, and today, I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior so that I might be born-again. Today, I choose to turn away from a lifestyle that would cause me to perish, and embrace life, everlasting in Christ, alone. Amen.
So now what? If you have prayed this prayer of repentance and salvation you are now welcomed into the family of God, but this is not the end! There is so much more in store for you. Once you have done this your walk with Christ is just the beginning, it is important to know that God doesn’t want you to only just believe, but He wants to know you, He wants you to spend time with Him, He wants you to live a life of repentance. He wants your life to be radically transformed. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonably service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable perfect will of God. ” Romans 12:1-2 NKJV.
By accepting Christ today, it is important to know who you are in Christ and what He says about you. You are chosen, you are adopted – so you are His child! You are accepted and forgiven, and you are sealed with the Holy Spirit!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in Him. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” Ephesians 1:3-14.
Below you will find both a link to download Beginning the 3:16 Journey, along with the book you can read now, where you will be able to learn more about the love of God and the plan of Salvation.
If you have prayed the prayer of Salvation today or have more questions please send us a message below and we will reach out to you!