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| Norma A. Boeckler |
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
The Fourth Gospel can be seen as a commentary on the Torah, the Five Books of Moses. Thus the very odd story of the serpent icon that healed prefigured the crucifixion of Christ.
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Faith in Christ is the dominant theme of this Gospel. Faith means eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The "for" clauses are explanatory and are major breaks in the text. These connecting words are used in the Greek text, instead of punctuation, so they are important words. The world is frequently the unbelieving world in John, yet God loved the world so much that He gave His only-begotten Son. The Only Son was given for this singular purpose - saving faith. A similar expression comes from Paul - "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the God-Power of salvation to every one who believes...Romans 1:16.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
St. John makes it clear that the basic state of the world is condemnation, but that faith in Christ is salvation. In the name of grace, UOJists teach their dogma, condemning and expelling anyone who doubts them. Faith in Christ is not needed for forgiveness and salvation - ask Jon-Boy Buchholz. However, faith in the dogma of universal forgiveness is needed, and a decision must be made for him (Walther).
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Unbelievers do not enjoy forgiveness and salvation, but condemnation, because unbelievers do not call upon the Name of Christ.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Jesus is the only Truth, the True Light that illuminates every man who believes in Him. Paradoxically, many love darkness rather than light.
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GJ - John 3:16 is called the Little Gospel, and rightly so, because faith in Him is the God-Power of salvation. The Holy Spirit brings the Gospel Word to individuals, actually bringing the Son of God to people. This efficacious Word generates faith in those who hear it.
