Whosoever Believes Should Not Perish - John 3:15

John the apostle shared how Jesus told Nicodemus, “Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a master of Israel, and know not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up”, and in chapter three and verse fifteen of his book, John shared how Jesus says this was done so, “whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life” where we read:

That whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The verse reads, “That whosoever believes in him should not perish, ...” John began with the words, “That whosoever” which means “so whatever person whether male or female” “believes in him” or “thinks to be true, has confidence and trusts in Jesus” “should not perish” which means “will not be destroyed, put out of the way entirely, abolished, rendered useless and put to an end to ruin”. John shared how Jesus said anyone who “trusts and has confidence in” Him would not be “destroyed, abolished and put to an end to ruin”.

The verse goes on to say, “... but have eternal life.” John continued with the words, “but have” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding, without exception and moreover obtain, lay hold of, own and possess” “eternal life” or “without beginning and end, never to cease and everlasting vitality which is real and genuine, active and vigorous, devoted to God and blessed”. John shared how Jesus said the people who “believe” in Him will obtain “never ceasing and everlasting” vitality that is real and genuine in devotion to God.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn the way to have “real and genuine everlasting life” with God. By believing in Jesus Christ who is God's Son, a person will receive “forgiveness of their sins” and inherit “everlasting life” with God. This is why Jesus came, and everyone is in need of a personal relationship with Jesus to gain access to “eternal life” with God. Let all who read these words be the “whosoever” who “believes” in Jesus.

Next time John shares how Jesus says, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".