“For 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.” John 3:16 (NIV)
This is by far one of the most powerful verses in the whole Bible. Let’s personalize this verse. “For God so loved YOU that he gave his one and only Son, so that when YOU believe YOU shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This verse is all about YOU. You were created by God. He created you out of love with a plan to be with you. God wants to spend eternity in heaven with you.
Although God never intended to be apart from His creation, sin got in the way. One little bite of the fruit by Adam brought sin (actions and attitudes against God) to the whole world (See Genesis 3 for the details).
God is holy and just. Sin is the complete opposite. Sin cannot fill God’s perfect heaven. So, what was God supposed to do?
The Bible says the price for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Something perfect would have to pay the price for all the imperfection. So, God created another plan to pay the price for sin.
God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Check this out: Jesus was sent from heaven, born as a baby, and lived a perfect sinless life. Jesus lived 33 years on earth, was crucified, died, and was buried. Jesus was perfect and was crucified for all sin, for all time. For your sin…for all sin…for all time.
Jesus did not stay dead. That’s the heaven part. Jesus rose from the dead and lives in heaven at God’s right hand. As sure as Jesus rose from the dead to heaven, the Bible promises that all believers will rise too.
This is incredible good news! God loved the whole world and everyone in it…every ONE…especially YOU. Believe that Jesus paid the price for your sin and you will be in heaven. God planned it, Jesus paid for it. Heaven is yours if you believe.