John 3:16 will always be a great passage that is highly impactful because it emphasizes three significant realities.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
First, the love of God is real and undeniable. What greater way could love be demonstrated than the sacrifice of one’s only child? How many of you would be willing to sacrifice one of your children for any cause whatsoever? The fact that God was willing to sacrifice His one and only Son for us speaks volumes of His love for us.
This love of God is magnified even more when we consider for whom He gave His son. He sacrificed Him for His enemies.
Romans 5:8–10 (ESV)
8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Second, the reality of eternal life is emphasized in John 3:16. That will be the reward for those who believe in Jesus. Keep in mind that the faith under consideration is comprehensive in nature, meaning it comprehends obedience to God. How do we know this? Verse 36 tells us so.
John 3:36 (ESV)
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Just believing never saved anyone. Faith must be accompanied by obedience or else, as James wrote, it is useless (James 2:20). For those who have obedient faith, eternal life is waiting for them in heaven – a beautiful home where permanent peace, joy, and rest exist and no sin can enter. It is a place where we are free from all of the problems of this world, and where we will spend eternity in the presence of God. This is the hope that we should always keep before us, and it was all made possible because God was willing to send His Son to this world.
Third, everlasting punishment will be experienced by all who fail to believe in Jesus and accept Him as their Savior. This is implied in the verse when Jesus said that those who believe in Him will not perish, indicating that those who refuse to believe will perish. This perishing is not a ceasing to exist. Instead, it is an ongoing punishment when there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in the fires of hell (Matthew 13 42, 50; Matthew 22:13).
I’m glad that God loved us enough to formulate and exercise a plan that allows us to escape the depths of hell and enjoy eternal bliss with Him in heaven. Let us never take the love of God for granted. To avoid such, take a second to read John 3:16 every once in a while. It will only take you a few seconds, but it will remind you of these important realities and keep you on the right track.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.