“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
As he speaks to Nicodemus, He explained that the new birth is the result of placing your faith in the Son of man. Lest Nicodemus thinks that this is only for Israel, He continued. “For God so loved the world…” Nicodemus may have had a hard time excepting this fact. The popular understanding at the time was that God was only interested in the nation of Israel. But Jesus is telling him that God loves the world. God has loved every single person that has ever lived.
This offer of the new birth was not limited to one nation or group of people. God desires that every person is in fellowship with Him for eternity. But he has given us a choice. Just as he gave Adam and Eve a choice in the garden, the new birth is for whoever will receive it. You must take action. Knowing about the gift that God has offered is not enough. To make that gift yours, you must believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he came and died on the cross to pay the price of your sin.
Then he explains the purpose of the coming of the Son of God. It was not to condemn the world. There will come a time when the world stands before God to give an account for their actions and receive judgment. But this was not the time. He came “that the world through him might be saved.” This offer is open to all without exception.
Questions to Ponder
What would say about you if he were to judge your actions right now?
Have you excepted God’s gift of salvation?