Rushwavefrom The Nature and Character of God
© 2020 Bert Davidson
Chapter 1: Good News in John 3:16
One sentence relates six core teachings which detail the worldview of Jesus Christ.
From God’s perspective mankind is broken, lost, and headed for destruction. But it is to this fallen, corrupt, chaotic world that God has good news. This good news relates the worldview and core teachings of one Person, Jesus Christ, as encapsulated in a single, profound statement from the historical record of His life. Whether Jesus Himself made the statement, or whether it was a comment supplied by the writer who spent years with Jesus, is unimportant. Either way, it concisely expresses the solemn truths Jesus Himself taught. The statement is found in the Bible, the book of John, chapter three, verse sixteen.
- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Every word in this sentence has a deep, clear meaning, and there is a specific way Jesus would have us understand “God,” “gave,” “Son,” “believes,” “perish,” and “eternal life.” While understanding the meaning of these words does not in any way require a higher education, we must be careful not to project our own meaning onto each word so as to align with our own worldview. There is no shortage of people who take the words of Jesus and project onto them meanings which are completely foreign to anything He ever taught.
To guard against this error of misinterpreting Jesus’ words, we must consult the body of work which references His life and teachings: the Bible. In doing so, we will not only be consulting the record of Jesus’ own words, but also of those whom He directly called, taught and commissioned (men called “apostles”), as well as those historical figures whom He regarded as God’s spokesmen (men called “prophets”).
The good news of John 3:16 can be broken down into six parts, and each addresses a different and very profound subject. This book series is comprised of six books which correspond to each subject.
Book 1 addresses The Nature and Character of God, for it is impossible to properly interpret the statement “For God so loved the world” without clearly outlining what the word “God” means. In this book God’s attributes are described in a way that clearly differentiates Him from other gods that have been worshiped and suggested throughout history.
Book 2, The Judgment God Desires to Withhold, has the word “perish” in focus: “For God so loved the world … that whoever believes in Him shall not perish.” We shall see that perishing involves punishment and suffering in a life after death — a punishment God Himself is obligated in justice to impose, but which He nonetheless desires to spare man from.
Book three, The Blessing God Desires to Bestow, shifts focus from what God wants to save us from to what He desires to bless us with: eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that … whoever believes in Him shall … have eternal life.” And we shall see there is much more involved in eternal life then mere immortality.
Book four addresses The Eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ, and the many different truths concerning Himself in relation to God and man. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” Understanding the Person of Jesus Christ is vital to understanding God Himself and His love for the world.
Book five, The Saving Work of Jesus Christ, corresponds to the words “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” We will consider the purpose, meaning, and implications of the death of Jesus Christ.
Finally, book six reveals The Faith God Requires to Save, and we shall see it is trusting in the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish.” Contrary to what many think, God is not going to grant eternal life to everyone. There is a condition that must be met.
It may seem hard to believe, but it is nonetheless true: John 3:16 is a worldview that can bring your entire life into perspective. To understand each word in this sentence as Jesus meant it to be understood; to contemplate the entire message; to allow its truth to penetrate your heart and enlighten your mind — this results in an understanding that far exceeds anything you can imagine. And it is just one sentence: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16,
from The Nature and Character of God
© 2020 Bert Davidson
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