GOD'S PROMISES #5

'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.'

This is probably the most frequently quoted promise in the Bible. It affirms:

1. the existence of God;
2. the attitude of God - God loves;
3. the extent of God's love - God loves the world;
4. the expression of God's love - God gave his one and only Son, as a substitutionary sacrifice to pay the death penalty for the sin of the world;
5. the fact that sin incurs a radical penalty - the word 'perish' means to be destroyed, to be put to death.
6. the purpose and result of this expression of love - that sin's death penalty is replaced by the gift of eternal life.
7. that those for whom this promise is effective are those who believe in Jesus Christ, God's Son.

As we look at further promises in the weeks to come the power of this promise will be made clear. In the meantime, if you do not understand who Jesus is, and what it means to believe in him, check out the Who is Jesus? studies on this website. If you do not have assurance of eternal life check out the Assurance of Salvation studies on this website.

Scriptures: John 3:16; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 5:5-8; Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:9-10; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 10:10-18; Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; 5:21; John 1:12; 3:15-18, 36; 8:24; 1 John 5:20.