16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NASB)

Unexplainable Love

By far the most popular Bible verse of all time, especially when used for evangelism. It’s been translated into more languages and is often seen at major sports events displayed to the fans. There’s good reason. This verse quite succinctly portrays the gospel, the good news. 

• The problem: Everyone is doomed to perish. Though the verse doesn’t specifically say why, every person knows they have sinned (Romans 3:23). As well, all know that they cannot do enough to ever atone for all their sin. Every religion of mankind – other than Christianity – is based on good works.
• The solution: Death of God’s Son. “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;” (2 Corinthians 5:14) I like this quote from (planobiblechapel.org) which tells us, “The construction of the Greek sentence underscores the intensity of God’s love. He gave His best: His unique and beloved Son.” 
• The gift: God’s own Son. “Or, in the language of Paul, ‘spared not His own Son’ (Ro 8:32), or in that addressed to Abraham when ready to offer Isaac on the altar, ‘‘withheld not His Son, His only Son, whom He loved’ (Ge 22:16)” (JFB commentary *)
• The reason: God so loved the world. This doesn’t mean he approved of people’s behavior. But it demonstrates His amazing, unexplainable love.
• The scope: “Whoever believes in Him: This describes the recipient of God’s love. God loves the world, but the world does not receive or benefit from that love until it believes in Jesus, the gift that the Father gave.” (enduringword.com)
• The unexplainable: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

<- Reflection ->

• Have you acknowledged and repented of your own sin and believed in Him for eternal life? If not, God is calling you to be born again.
• As a believer, this should be a “for sure” verse for Bible memorization and meditation…followed by application as you share with others.