But Have…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3.16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3.16
“’In twenty-five words or less, tell us why your mother should be Mother of the Year,’ reads the contest rules. ‘In twenty-five words or less, explain the importance of the French Revolution upon the economic and social structures of the thirteen colonies,’ reads the test question. Now, although I probably wouldn’t have much trouble with the second question, the first one would be extremely difficult for me because the more we know about any given subject, the harder it is to communicate our thoughts succinctly. Not so with Jesus. John 3:16 is exactly twenty-five words long, and in these twenty-five words, Jesus communicates the Father’s heart, the Father’s plan, and the Father’s will…
• His heart: He loved the world.
• His plan: He gave His only begotten Son.
• His will: Whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jon Courson)
In similar fashion to the Psalmist, our Lord compares two paths. (Psalm 1) There is neither a middle lane nor middle road between one of the two paths which you must choose. There is the path that leads to destruction and abandonment and, there is the path that leads to Salvation and fellowship. Succinctly explained to Nicodemus in John 3.15 and reiterated in John 3.16 we see the only possible path to eternal blessing.
“But” (allá) is an adversative particle suggesting something “other.” It implies in speech some diversity or super-addition to what preceded. It serves to mark something in apposition to that which preceded. In other words, there is more to this promise of “shall not perish” than simply a lack of destruction. Not perishing may leave an empty place in an individual’s heart; however, God leaves no emptiness – He completely fills the void with something that will never run empty or dry. Completely antithetical to perishing is everlasting life – something that has no ending.
Should anyone question the duration or endurance of this life please notice that when all of the qualifications are met, we “have” (échō) eternal life. The word échō has been for years a part of wedding ceremonies (although a bit incognito) as a promise between the bride and the groom that they would promise to never let go of their chosen spouse. It means “to have and to hold.” Particularly and primarily it means to have in one’s hands, to hold in the hand, and, by extension to have eternally.
In having this possession, the one to whom it has been granted should never fear having it slip away. We can be thankful that the “having” is not dependent upon our ability to maintain a grasp; but, is entirely the responsibility of the One who gave it.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10.27-30
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1.24, 25
• His heart: He loved the world.
• His plan: He gave His only begotten Son.
• His will: Whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jon Courson)
In similar fashion to the Psalmist, our Lord compares two paths. (Psalm 1) There is neither a middle lane nor middle road between one of the two paths which you must choose. There is the path that leads to destruction and abandonment and, there is the path that leads to Salvation and fellowship. Succinctly explained to Nicodemus in John 3.15 and reiterated in John 3.16 we see the only possible path to eternal blessing.
“But” (allá) is an adversative particle suggesting something “other.” It implies in speech some diversity or super-addition to what preceded. It serves to mark something in apposition to that which preceded. In other words, there is more to this promise of “shall not perish” than simply a lack of destruction. Not perishing may leave an empty place in an individual’s heart; however, God leaves no emptiness – He completely fills the void with something that will never run empty or dry. Completely antithetical to perishing is everlasting life – something that has no ending.
Should anyone question the duration or endurance of this life please notice that when all of the qualifications are met, we “have” (échō) eternal life. The word échō has been for years a part of wedding ceremonies (although a bit incognito) as a promise between the bride and the groom that they would promise to never let go of their chosen spouse. It means “to have and to hold.” Particularly and primarily it means to have in one’s hands, to hold in the hand, and, by extension to have eternally.
In having this possession, the one to whom it has been granted should never fear having it slip away. We can be thankful that the “having” is not dependent upon our ability to maintain a grasp; but, is entirely the responsibility of the One who gave it.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10.27-30
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1.24, 25
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