John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."
**
Note on John 3:16
When did God commend this love toward us? As Romans 5:8 says, it was while we were yet sinners. Therefore, God’s love isn’t conditional on our goodness. He doesn’t love us because we are lovely but simply because He is love (1 John 4:8).The focus of this verse isn’t really on us not perishing, but rather it is on us having everlasting life. According to Jesus’ own words in John 17:3, everlasting life is knowing God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and it’s not just knowing them but knowing them in the biblical sense of the word (see my note at Genesis 4:1). This is speaking of intimacy.
A person who comes to the Lord for forgiveness of sins but doesn’t go on to experience intimacy with the Lord is missing the true point of salvation. It is a wonderful benefit of salvation to avoid hell and all its torments. But everlasting life begins on earth (John 3:36) in the form of intimacy with the Father and Son.
Sin was like a barrier that blocked our access to God. Without the removal of that barrier, there could be no true fellowship with the Father. Therefore, Jesus did take the sin of the whole world upon Himself (John 12:32) and has reconciled us to God (2 Corinthians 5:19). But if we don’t go past where the barrier used to be, into intimacy with the Father, we are missing the true point of salvation in this life.
Andrew Wommack's Living Commentary.
JOHN 3:1-21
Most people focus on the part of this verse
that promises us we won't perish. Although it's certainly a wonderful
promise, it is not the focus of this verse.
The primary purpose of Jesus' coming to this earth was not forgiveness of sins, but to give us eternal life.
Sin separated us from God so Jesus dealt with sin. However, His payment for sin was just a step toward His ultimate purpose of reconciling man to God. If someone believes that Jesus died for their sins but doesn't go on to enter into the close fellowship with God that Jesus made available, then they are missing eternal life.
Eternal life is not a length of life, but rather a quality of life
. Eternal life is intimacy with the Father and Jesus (Jn. 17:3).
Many people have been done a disservice in being told that Jesus came to forgive us of our sins "period'.
If it had been all that He did, it would have been wonderful--and much more than we deserved--but much less than what He actually accomplished.
Today, take full advantage of your salvation and go beyond the basic forgiveness of your sins into intimacy with Almighty God.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness and all other things will be given you! Matt 6:33
The primary purpose of Jesus' coming to this earth was not forgiveness of sins, but to give us eternal life.
Sin separated us from God so Jesus dealt with sin. However, His payment for sin was just a step toward His ultimate purpose of reconciling man to God. If someone believes that Jesus died for their sins but doesn't go on to enter into the close fellowship with God that Jesus made available, then they are missing eternal life.
Eternal life is not a length of life, but rather a quality of life
. Eternal life is intimacy with the Father and Jesus (Jn. 17:3).
Many people have been done a disservice in being told that Jesus came to forgive us of our sins "period'.
If it had been all that He did, it would have been wonderful--and much more than we deserved--but much less than what He actually accomplished.
Today, take full advantage of your salvation and go beyond the basic forgiveness of your sins into intimacy with Almighty God.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness and all other things will be given you! Matt 6:33
No comments:
Post a Comment