John 3:16-21 – God’s generosity demonstrated in the giving of His Son

Jesus had established without a doubt that God is the source of the new birth. The clearest evidence is found in John 3:16. This verse is the greatest explanation of the cross. “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.” This verse is the heart of the Gospel, and it tells us of the great and limitless love of God. His deep love for us made possible the new birth. John here asserts that Jesus did not come into the world to judge it but to save it. Believing in Jesus frees us from condemnation, whereas those who refuse to believe will be condemned.

In John 3:19-21, the Lord then went on to describe the dynamic process. While God made the provision, the decision remains man’s responsibility. He said “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” In reality, the nature of fallen man made them choose condemnation. Fallen men would choose darkness rather than light, so that their evil deeds could be concealed. Everyone who does evil loves darkness, and those who prefer truth will come into the light. Just as light will expose everything, Christ’s nature will expose every evil deed.

Knowing that our new nature comes on the basis of the atonement of Christ, we must learn to look to him. Let’s turn to him, believe in Him and enjoy the everlasting and quality life found in Him.