From Christmas to the Gospel

“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.” –John 3:16

Most are familiar, or aware, of this statement whether they claim to follow Christ, or another religion or are indifferent altogether. It has been a bumper sticker, a T-Shirt message, spoken on religious radio and TV as well as by the media. And now YOU the reader have witnessed the statement as well.

There is context however many who are not followers of Yeshua Hamashiach, in English Jesus the Messiah, are aware in order to  grasp the core of the why and whosoever of this topic.

Consider the preceding verse: ““15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” and the following verses: ““17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “18“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” It helps to understand context. 

Regarding vs 14, the lifting up of a snake in the wilderness by Moses [Numbers 21:8-9] had the same life saving component as vs 16 [above] makes clear: Belief. Only those bitten by the poisonous snakes in the wilderness who went to Moses and believed that the snake pole that GOD told Moses to make would save them. But if they refused to go to Moses for that reason they died, each and every one of them. 

BELIEF/Faith is a powerful influence in our minds and hearts because it frames the outcome of so many of life’s challenges. However, belief in the machinations of the devil presented as miraculous while it will influence your choice it does not always end well. In fact, it generally corrupts logical thinking and begins to gnaw away at a faith based on the Bible for the one whose armor was not sufficiently donned or incomplete in it’s suit up.

The moral of this scriptural discussion is the ONLY way to everlasting life is BELIEF in Jesus’ perfection in birth, death, resurrection all combined provides the foundation that our heavenly Father required so that we may approach HIM in prayer because HIS SON’s sacrificial life imputes righteousness to us now when we are imperfect and incapable of righteousness beyond our attempts to only do the right thing.

So, the bottom line is it is up to each of us to accept the offer to live everlastingly through belief in Jesus as outlined in John 3:14-18. If you haven’t will you? 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “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. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

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