John 3:16 is the very familiar verse among the Christian kids. Most of them learn it at the very young age.
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
Though we learn this verse so early in life and at times most of us get the real meaning very late. We move on in Christian life, we end up chasing many things beyond and away from the purpose, we are called, forgetting the basic and very core God offered to us that is Eternal life.
All the religions have their own path for eternal life.
The pantheistic religions offer reincarnation till eternal life in heaven is attained. The process of reincarnation happens in pantheism based on the deeds done during the life span and the soul moves upwards in the scale of holiness. There are several school of thoughts around whether the good deeds from one reincarnation will be carried to another or not. The process is complex and painful.
Christ offered a simple solution for eternal life. He put all the suffering and pain on himself and made sure man can achieve eternal life with one simple step. All man has to do is to believe him. Nothing else.
We are always created to live eternally in heaven. There was a glorious tree called “Tree of life” in the garden of Eden. There was no restriction for man to eat it. But once man disobeyed God and evil entered the world, God made sure the tree of life is beyond the reach of mankind (Gen 3:22).
But now the purpose was defeated. The purpose of man is to enjoy the eternal life. Alas, he was forbidden and will be killed as the tree of life was secured through flaming sword (Gen 3:24). What a loss!!.
Path to establishing eternal life
Did God rejected man after his first failure? Is this the end of eternity? No. He came up with a way of establishing his covenant by putting all responsibilities on himself. In Gen 17 God establishes a covenant with Abraham by walking alone between the sacrifice. In other words, independent of who ever breaks the covenant God is responsible.
In Gen 22, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mount of Moriah. The pain Abraham felt during the process of taking Isaac and the agony of the father’s heart carefully documented in the Bible. Isaac asked a final question, “The fire and wood are here but where is the lamb”? (Gen 22:7). Abraham with all the courage and the strength responded his son lovingly. “Jehovah Jireh – God will provide”.
Ultimate Sacrifice for eternal life
God did provide in the mount of Calvary by sacrificing his own son by crucifying him. He took all the responsibility and paid the entire price on one condition, we should believe in Jesus. Great God who created the heaven and earth came down to earth and humbled himself to death (Phil 2:6-11). Why such a sacrifice for man who can not hold any responsibility, any accountability, any obedience, any covenant and any holiness. The only answer is the first part of John 3:16, “He loved the world”.
God loved us first, created us, called us and wanted to stay with us forever. He created eternity to have fellowship with us. Is it so hard to believe this God? Yes. That’s the only precondition for eternal life. Some say they believe him but they don’t behave like a believer. Some choose not to believe him. Few are willing to believe and follow him. Independent of individual free will, Jesus opened the eternal life for all those who believe him. He is the way to eternal life. Believe Him.
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