“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV)

God’s love for the world is the great truth that motivated God’s plan of salvation. The “world” (kosmos) means the universe or the arrangement of the stars, or decoration. It refers to all people on earth – or perhaps all creation.

God’s purpose in sending his Son into the world was positive. He wanted people to believe in him and so have eternal life. But if people prefer the darkness of their own sin to the light of salvation through Jesus, they bring judgment upon themselves by their own choice (John 3:16-18).

God is earnestly desirous of our happiness. He hates wickedness, but He still desires the happiness of those who are sinful. “He hates sin, but loves the sinner.” So out of his great love; the expression of eternal compassion, and of a desire that sinners should not perish forever, that He sent His only-begotten Son. This is the highest expression of love which we can conceive. It shows the depth of the love of God.

Source:

MySword for Android. Riversoft Ministry, 2011-2019.

The NKJV Bible

Zondervan NASB Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1999.

http://www.biblegateway.com

Published by Pastorbluejeans Unplugged

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