John 3:16
New Living Translation
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
The majority of people’s attention on the part of this passage that promises us we will not perish. While it is without a doubt a wonderful promise, it is not the focus of this passage. Jesus’ advent to this earth was not intended for your forgiveness, but instead for the gift of eternal life.
Jesus dealt with sin because we were separated from God. His payment for sin, however, was only a first step in accomplishing His ultimate goal of bringing man back into a relationship with God. If someone believes Jesus died for their sins but does not go on to have a close personal relationship with God that Jesus opened up, they are missing the blessing of that relationship and the life it brings.
In the above passage, Jesus was describing the essential nature of eternal life: it is not a length of time, but rather a quality of life. Eternal life is having a relationship with the Father and Son (Jn. 17:3). Many people have been misled by being told that Jesus came to forgive us for our sins “period.”
It would have been fantastic—and far more than we deserved—had just forgiveness come from Him, but less than what He really achieved.
The Christian life is not meant to just be fire insurance or making sure our sins are forgiven. It is meant to be the abundant life.
John 10:10
New Living Translation
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
How is your satisfaction level running?
Take advantage of your salvation and explore a level of intimacy with Almighty God that you never before experienced today.
Blessings!
Pastor Duke
Pastor Duke Taber and his wife Sue pastor Mesquite Worship Center located at 140 Riverside Rd. Ste D. in the Sherwin Williams Building. You can join them Sundays at 10:00 AM, 6:00 PM, and Wednesdays at 7:00. Absolutely everyone is welcome and you can come as you are.
