Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Reading Past John 3:16
Reading Past John 3:16
Do we sometimes miss a powerful point because we stop reading? John 3:16 is so well-known that people stop reading. What happens if we keep reading?
Notice these contrasts:
“For God loved the world” (John 3:16) vs. “People loved the darkness” (John 3:19)
“He gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16) vs. “Their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).
“will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) vs “This is the judgment (John 3:19)
With God we have loving the world equals giving and sacrificing.
With the world we have loving equals darkness and evil.
With God we have eternal life.
With the world we have judgment.
Now notice this comparison:
“Everyone who believes” (John 3:16) & “But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light” (John 3:21).
If we are willing to believe and live by and practice truth, our “works may be shown to be accomplished by God” (John 3:21 – CSB).
“Faith only?” Or is it believing into eternal life here and now by living the truth and practicing God’s works? No credit is due because our works are accomplished by God. But still, not “faith only”
Keep reading past John 3:16 and see how the chapter ends:
John 3:36 (NASB) The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
We are of the world; but believing, living truth, and obeying the Son, with God we can perform works allowing us to become of God and inherit His eternal life.
Comments