John 3:16 - for God So Loved the WorldSample

Why is it based upon faith?

This verse shows the foundational key to God's offer to all mankind. It all depends upon us “believing” in what God achieved through Jesus's death and resurrection.

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

The key to God’s salvation in Jesus Christ is faith. But why is this so?

The offer of eternal life had to be available to all mankind. Every person needed to have the same opportunity and capacity to accept God’s offer so that anyone could receive His gift if they sought it.

However, every person on earth has different gifts, physical abilities, social standing, economic standing, and so on. So, if God chose that we had to have physical, mental, or financial prowess to receive eternal life, then many would miss out. Likewise, if His offer was limited to only one race of people or one skin color, then everyone else would miss out. Even keeping the works of the law will not guarantee that we inherit the promise of life. If it were based on the law, our salvation would not rest upon God’s grace but on our ability to keep the law. It becomes a form of self-righteousness.

But every person has the capacity to believe. Everyone has faith. And thus, it was through faith that God gave the gift of righteousness. He showed the way when He declared Abraham righteous by faith, and in the same way, God now reckons us righteous by faith. When we believe God raised Christ from the dead and confess Jesus as Lord, we will be saved. (See Romans 10:8-13)

Furthermore, scripture tells us that no one can please God without faith. They must believe He exists and rewards those who do believe. (See Hebrews 11:1-6)

This is the power of faith. When we believe God raised Christ from the dead, He releases us from our sins and declares us righteous. We can’t buy or earn this gift of righteousness from God, but it is given freely when we believe. And it is available to all mankind, which is why John 3:16 says, “…whoever…” believes should not perish. “Whoever” includes all of mankind.

Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins and took our sins away. Then He was raised so that we could be declared righteous by faith, believing that God resurrected Him. All of God's promises are based upon faith.

Prayer Point:

Do you believe this? Pray and thank the Lord, confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior and believing with all your heart that God raised Him from the dead.