What Is John 3:16?

You might have seen the verse while you were out or during a live TV broadcast, but what does John 3:16 mean?

The explanation is found in the Bible. John 3:16 says, “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.”

God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth and die on a cross. Why? We are all sinners and the Bible says the consequence of sin is death, eternal separation from God. There is nothing we can do to make us “good enough” for heaven.

But God made a way. Christ lived a perfect, blameless life and provided the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He died in our place.

It is only by God’s grace—His undeserved mercy—that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven. Our role is to have faith, to believe Christ died for us and ask Him to forgive our sins. The simple meaning behind John 3:16 is that you are loved by God and can be forgiven.

Would you receive God’s gift of love today?

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Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and eternal life.

The Bible says:

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16

"I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10

What keeps us from having the life God planned for us?

Step 2 – The Problem: Our Separation from God

God created us in His image. He gave us a will and the freedom of choice; we choose to disobey Him and go our own way—which is called sin. This separates us from God.

The Bible says:

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23

Our choice to sin separates us from God. People have tried many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God.

The Bible says:

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Proverbs 14:12

"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
Isaiah 59:2

No bridge reaches God... except one.

Step 3 – God’s Bridge: The Cross

Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave. When He did He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between us and God.

The Bible says:

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
1 Peter 3:18

God has provided the only way back to Him. You must make a choice.

Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ

We must trust and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The Bible says:

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12

"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9

Which side are you on? The side with Christ or without Him?

Here is how you can accept Christ into your life:

We suggest a prayer like this one:

"Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do Your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen."


Did you pray this prayer?


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