John 3:16 "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."
Recently, we saw the parable of the Prodigal son who was perishing because he
sought the world rather than the things of the father. Notice something, he was
a son before he left. He was a son while he was in the far country. And he was
a son when he returned home. What changed about him? Did the father leave him?
No, he turned and walked away from the father. He cared for the things of the
world more than the things of the father. as a result, he was perishing. The
father's love never wavered for this young man. God's love for us never wavers
even though we are imperfect beings. Aren't you thankful for that?
I again bring into the writing the prodigal for the reason that he said he was
perishing while out in the world. Only people who have life can perish. Not to
be morbid, but those whose life has ceased have already perished. The father's
love was bestowed upon that son even while he had turned away. It was a
particular love for his son. We saw the brazen serpent that had to be
lifted up on the rod. There was a reason I brought that serpent into the
writing recently. The serpent was given only to the people of Israel. It was
not given to just anyone; rather to a particular people.
Now bear with me and search the Scriptures for what I am about to show concerning
John 3:16. Who does God love to the degree that He would give His only
begotten Son to die for their sins? I submit to you that God's love is so
powerful and sufficient that IF He loved the whole world of people, then the
whole world of people will be in heaven. Again, I want to share Scripture with
you to show my point. When we go to John chapter 17, we find the intercessory
prayer of Jesus.
(John 17:9) "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but
for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." I ask this
morning, If God loves the whole world of people, why would there be some for
whom Jesus would not pray? Notice in that same prayer: "These words
spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is
come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee (2) As
thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to
as many as thou hast given him." (John 17:1-2) The Word of God
teaches the Father gave unto the Son a people out of every nation, kindred,
tongue, and people. The Word of God teaches that the number is innumerable to
man and yet God knows every one of us by name and even the number of hairs on
our head.
In order to properly understand this teaching, we have to see our God is
greater than anything or anyone and we are in dire need of Him for all things.
God's wisdom and love is so wonderful and deep that He provides all our needs
in One: The Lord Jesus Christ. This is fact. If you have ever called out for
God's help, you know it's true. What a friend we have in Jesus! God's love for
His people has provided eternal life through Jesus Christ. We enjoy that
everlasting life as we go through this world of sin and sorrow. We lift Him in
our hearts and minds. We look to Jesus when we are wearied, hurting, lonely, or
sad. God loves you so much that this is His gift to you!
I must add one more thought and then we will move on. Faith, belief, the
ability to trust the Lord Jesus is a fruit of the Spirit. See Galatians
5:22-23. When we have the ability to believe and trust this beautiful promise
of God, we have already been given eternal life, or as Jesus told Nicodemus, we
have been "born again by the Spirit of God." Notice the wording
of John 3:16. It does not say, "If you believe, you will have eternal
life." Jesus emphatically states, "whosoever believeth" HAS
"everlasting life." Life always precedes action. We WERE dead in
sins. By God's grace, we are NOW alive in Christ Jesus and with that new birth,
we have the ability to take hold of and believe the precious promises of God.