John 3:16 is one of the most familiar verses found in the Bible. However, it is not the only 3:16 chapter and verse with the message of God’s love for us.
In this lesson, we want to take a brief look at the lessons found in a few of the powerful 3:16s.
John 3:16 KJV
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.
Most Christians have committed this verse to memory and if you haven’t, please do so.
It is one of the most comforting verses in God’s word. It is the plan of salvation in a nutshell. It tells us how much God loves us and by us, this means all of His creation.
He wants everyone to be reconciled with Him.
Because of His love, in mercy and grace, He sent His only son to die on the cross, shedding His blood for the remission of sin.
The wonderful conclusion is that anyone that believes on Jesus, will not perish, but have eternal life.
1 John 3:16 NIV
16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
We humans have a few concepts of love, but agape love is the love of God.
Agape love is unconditional love. Agape love is not based on emotion, but rather based on principle. Agape love demonstrates itself through actions.
The apostle John goes on to tell us that God IS love (1John 4:8).
This verse tells us that God’s love and the love we are to have for everyone, is all of the above. Unconditional, not emotion based and it is demonstrated in actions.
Colossians 3:16 NIV
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
We are to let the teachings and message of Jesus dwell among us “richly.”
In other words, let us have an abundance of the teachings and message of Jesus in our hearts.
When we have an abundance, our souls prosper and we are able to always conduct ourselves as God’s child and the light of the world.
The next verse sums up our service to God and mission as the light of the world.
Colossians 3:17 says;
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
IF the message of Christ dwells in us RICHLY or in ABUNDANCE, we will certainly do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 3:16 NIV
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Paul prays for the Ephesian believers and for us.
He prays that God will strengthen us with the power of His Holy Spirit.
He follows this in verses 17 and 18, praying that this strength will allow our faith in Christ to grow and that we will be empowered to understand and grasp the extent of Christ’s love which has saved us and reconciled us with God.
1 Timothy 3:16 KJV
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Paul emphasizes the love of God, in that He was manifest in the flesh in the form of Jesus Christ (2nd member of Trinity). God made Himself evident to the world, through His son Jesus.
Furthermore, Paul says that the claims of Jesus were justified or vindicated by the Holy Spirit.
...that Jesus was witnessed by the angels. He was watched over by the angels of God.
...that Jesus preached not only to the Jews, but also among the nations or Gentiles.
...that many believed in Him as God’s son.
Finally, Paul says that Jesus ascended back to Heaven when His work was done.
I encourage you to commit these verses to memory. They convey powerful messages. However, these are just a few of the powerful 3:16s found in God's word. Search them out; study them in prayer and meditation.
Let us close by thanking God for His love, mercy, grace and forgiveness. And, thank Him for the amazing lessons found in these 3:16s.
RVH