For God so loved the world that he gave his only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed.- CJB
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- NIV
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed.- The Message
It doesn't matter what translation you may have, the message here can not be lost in any translation. No one can say that there is any discrepancy between any of them. Jesus Christ was sent to this earth to save us from our sins and to get this salvation we have to believe in him. And who sent him? God the father. Why? So that we can all have eternal life and not go through any destruction of any kind once we have passed on. However, there is a point that people do miss with this verse.
Most when hearing this piece of perhaps the most famous line from the Bible will focus on what has already been said.
- Jesus is the Son of God
- Jesus will save you
- Jesus will give you eternal life
- God sent his only Son
Of course these are very important points and all are true and need to be heeded, but perhaps there is even another very important matter with this scripture that we should start to really focus on. God loved the world! Sounds like a cliche' but it is worth looking at. God, the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Father, the Almighty, had so much feelings for the world that He knew He had to do something to save it. Even though His creation had become murderers (of all forms of the word), liars, thieves, slanderers, idolaters, gluttons, drunkards, abusers, and all other sick things we do, He still loved us. We had become the exact opposite of what he had planned for us and yet he showed so much compassion that he sent a way out of our mess. If you were an artist and created a work of art and it didn't turn out like you wanted it to, the first reaction would be to destroy it and start again. But for us he didn't. Do not miss the point. It is not about being an artist who created something imperfect or saying that the art is a creation of an imperfect artist. We have no analogies on earth that can describe this relationship. All who try to do this are laying down facades to prove their own agenda. You CAN NOT describe it. The real point is God loves us.
But there's more. Who is the "world"? The world is anything that can believe in Jesus Christ. Does God love the Pope? Yes. Does God love Bill Graham? Yes. Does God love those who give to charities? Yes. Does God love those who give their time to help others? Yes. Does God love those who are having problems? Yes. Does God love those who are going through life aimlessly and with no cares? Yes. Does God love those who deny him? Yes. Does God love those who hate him and would do anything to destroy his image and his words? Yes. God loves all.
Many times we go through life wondering why God hates us so much or why God allows things to happen that seem like it always goes against us somehow or someway. We tend to feel that God doesn't really love us if he allows things to keep happening. Maybe we feel he even forgets about us personally. But the fact is, he still loves each and every one of us. He doesn't hate you. He hasn't forgotten about you. Jesus Christ when he came to the earth did not just choose certain people to die for. He died for all. Even if you deny his existence. Even if you deny what he did Jesus still died for you. Paul tells us that what he did, he did once and for all.
9 comments:
Why do we always forget the important part of the quote?
"Just as Moshe lifted up the serpent in the desert, so shall the son of man be lifted up. That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
What No Doubt is referring to is the piece of scripture right before this, John 3:14-15.
But No Doubt, please explain what you mean, I am not quite understanding exactly where you are going with this.
Reading and understanding John 3:14-18, in context, gives us insight to many issues plaguing the church today, from predestination to G-d Holy Love.
John 3:14:
14`And as Moses did lift up the serpent in the wilderness, so it behoveth the Son of Man to be lifted up,
John 3:15:
15that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during,
John 3:16:
16for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the only begotten -- He gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life age-during.
This translation is perhaps more to the original text, and more in line with the Old Test. thinking, regarding words like parish, destruction, judgements, and eternal.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.
In the original it reads …I will “drag” All men unto me.
John 3:15:
15that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have “life age-during,”
OR paraphrase…. “BUT MAY HAVE THE LIFE OF GOD”.
I think John 3:16 is more about this life than the hereafter.
1 Timothy 4:10:
10For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of All men, “specially” of those that believe.
This key passage unlocks the fullness of His Atonement , it maximizes His Love beyond all measures.
Although all of these comments so far may be okay, they seem to either be incomplete or off the subject.
No Doubt said: to many issues plaguing the church today, from predestination to G-d Holy Love.
This needs further explanation. Expand on these issues. Otherwise, people just turned you off for not finishing it.
Anonymous said:This translation is perhaps more to the original text, and more in line with the Old Test. thinking, regarding words like parish, destruction, judgements, and eternal.
and
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me. In the original it reads …I will “drag” All men unto me.
These may be your take and are perhaps correct but they miss the point of the original post which was God will save. You have focused on the negative aspects. Plus "life age-during" doesn't make any sense. You put down a paraprahse but you can paraphrase your way all the way out of salvation. I understand some of the orginal language may have been watered down to fit the English language yet you use KJV to say your point. The original language will always change to fit our times. So does drawing men or dragging men play that big of a roll? What does dragging anyone have to do with this verse? What you put down as paraphrasing without explanation is confusing and tunes people out. First I would suggest a modern translation with the original words for comparison and a place to check these things so people can do their own study.
For now, please explain why you posted these and give full accounts, not bits and pieces.
Wow, patience is a true virtue. No wonder why His followers got so tick off at Him for not speaking plainly.
How is this passage "negative" to the original context of John 3:16 of God’s ability to “save”?
1 Timothy 4:10: "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of All men, especially of those that believe."
To the contray, God is a Wonderful Savior.
Please tell me ..what is the difference between :“the end of the world” and “a world without end”?
Mattthew 28:16: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
or
Ephes 3:21: "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
First Point:
I think the word “eternal” should be used very carefully, for only God is Eternal. And perhaps that is not the word that should be used in John 3:16 if that is the understanding that many tag on to it.
Second Point: Many are looking for this "Everlasting Lif” in the sweet bye and bye. But Jesus spoke many times of the way we should live THIS LIFE.”
Sometimes folks would read John 3:16 like this: “For God So loved the world (small love, small world) that He made them an “offer”, take it or leave it, that whosoever was born under all the right circumstances, and is in the right church, just might if they are lucky, to get to live forever."- Paraphrased, haha.
If that is the case, then the blistering truth is that the destiny of the human race is doomed. In the end this whole event in reality has just been for a few.
My final point is simply because of unreliable translations, traditions, and bent concepts we may have have missed the greatest message, good news in the universe.
Ok, now about the “drag” all men unto Himself.
Do you realy believe that God is totally helpless and not able in any fashion guide, change the hardest of hearts, using the precise measurement of punishment/corrective persuasion, convince a person in the Presence of absolute, total, True, to repent in this live or the next …..????
God Will Reconcile “All things” to Himself, your puny little wills, will not change His desires. Do you not know that “EVERY knee will bow…? That the whole earth will be filled with His Glory!
Everything that has stood in His way (death, hell, sin, etc.) will all be done away with. Do you not know that nothing can separate you from His Love? Your rejection of Him will only last for a season. It is an awesome thing to fall into the hands of a chastising, LOVING GOD! He will drag All men, at first they will kick and screem (changing really hurts all of us) but nevertheless the more drags and the closer we come the purifying fires will melt the dross.
I apologize. I wasn't trying to sound ticked off. I try to make this site open and complete as possible. Too many times we leave ideas open and things get misunderstood.
I was not referring to the scripture being negative, I was referring to the point of view i.e., regarding words like parish, destruction, judgements, and eternal., when the message here is about the saving grace of God and how He didn't hold anything or anyone back from His love.
What is the difference between: "the end of the world” and “a world without end”? First I would not accept the Greek words, since this is Matthew and he wrote for the Jew, so I would trust the Hebrew more. Secondly, you have two terms when you hear the words "forever, eternal, always". So I would agree with 100% that translation may hurt us here. The two terms that Hebrew uses here are "olam hazeh" and "olam haba". The olam hazeh means this world, or this age, or the end of the world. Olam haba means the world to come, eternity, or a world without end, AND the time before the earth was created! If you look at the rest of "the Great Commission" Jesus is referring to this world. The Olam hazeh ends, but the olam haba has no beginning or ending. The passage of Ephesians I would say that it is also talking about this world since it deals with the Church. However I think John 3:16 is different. Nicodemas (Nakdimon) already knew how to live this life, for he had TORAH. He was inquiring about the olam haba.
Is that what you are asking?
I am still pondering the rest of your posting. So I will get back to you on that.
Keep posting!!!!!!
Please tell me what is the difference between: “the end of the world” and “a world without end”?
Mattthew 28:16: "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
or
Ephes 3:21: "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
You said:
Secondly, you have two terms when you hear the words "forever, eternal, always". So I would agree with 100% that translation may hurt us here. The two terms that Hebrew uses here are "olam hazeh" and "olam haba". The olam hazeh means this world, or this age, or the end of the world. Olam haba means the world to come, eternity, or a world without end, AND the time before the earth was created! If you look at the rest of "the Great Commission" Jesus is referring to this world. The Olam hazeh ends, but the olam haba has no beginning or ending. The passage of Ephesians I would say that it is also talking about this world since it deals with the Church. However I think John 3:16 is different.
“The olam hazeh" means this world???
Is the word “olam” used in the text (Matt. 28:16)? If so then “eternal” can be a duration of a period of time and not “endless”.
I have heard people use the pharse “from eternity to eternity” which makes no sense.
Regarding John 3:16, The olam could be in reference not just to the after life. And the LOVE expressed goes beyond human understanding or limitations that we place on it, not exclusive but inclusive! God will still love and shown that love to that soul before death, during death, and after death!
There has always been theological controversy in trying to balance the LOVE of God with the sovereignty of God.
Post a Comment