Reflection on Jn 3:16
Jn 3:16: “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.”
You can apply this verse to yourself. For God so loved Andrew that He gave His only begotten Son, that Andrew who believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God loved you so much that He gave His only begotten Son who suffered the most extreme suffering and shameful death on the cross for you and your sins. Could God show His love for you more? How much do you love Him in return? How much do you love the Heavenly Father and how much do you love Jesus Christ who sacrificed His life for your sake? Why did He do so? That you should not perish in eternal suffering where sin, the world’s system of lies and the forces of darkness lead you. Instead of perdition God gives you the free gift of eternal life through the merits of Jesus. Nothing is of more value than life. However, sooner or later death will end your earthly life. But in Jesus Christ you have eternal life. Through faith you have passed from death into life. Eternal life lasts neither a thousand nor a million years. It is a life without end. What is more, it is a life in happiness, joy and glory beyond imagination. If all happiness and joys experienced throughout your life merged, it would be but a drop when compared with the ocean of eternal joy. In addition, eternal life which Jesus obtained for you surpasses the dignity of angels, archangels and cherubim because by faith you receive the life of Jesus – divine life – and become united to Him. You become a child of God and an heir of God’s kingdom. The Apostle calls: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1Cor 2:9)
The condition for obtaining eternal life is to receive Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. God became man in the person of Jesus Christ, that you may become a child of God. We have this treasure in earthen vessels. We must be careful not to let God’s enemy deprive us of this treasure. Therefore Jesus says: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” And “watch because you do not know the hour” of your passing over from time to eternity. God’s Word says: “He who has the Son of God has eternal life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1Jn 5:10f)
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