“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
We’ve seen it on placards at football stadiums and emblazoned on bright colored tee shirts. It’s “the verse” … the one that is probably the most recognizable of all Bible verses. It’s the verse that brings with it hope and peace and love. However, when read by itself; taken out of context, if you will, it creates a misconception. Should we really think that all one has to do is simply believe and we will achieve passage into eternal life with God when we pass from this earth? Although that is exactly what it says, if you take the entirety of scripture, you see a whole different, more complete story. That is why reading the Bible regularly rather than cherry picking scripture to suit our feelings on a particular day is vitally important. Why would Jesus have to die at all if all we had to do was believe in Him? What about sin? What about living according to the standards set down by God? Do we simply believe in Jesus and go about our merry way unchanged? If that were truly the case then I would consider Christianity a sham and faith a waste of time. No, belief must come through faith, which must lead us to a trust and reliance on the One whom we have believed in. Forgiveness is ours for the asking. Inner spiritual alterations are to be the result of such a transaction. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
