“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.”   The most well-known verse that we see so often, tells of God’s salvation plan for mankind.  It spells out the one word that is necessary for salvation. 

 

Most people grow up learning right from wrong, they know the rules, the laws, they know the Ten Commandments, most are basically good law abiding citizens, cruising through life with the thought that they are a shoe-in for Heaven because they haven’t killed anyone or robbed any banks or things like that.  But the Bible teaches that all are born with sin in our hearts, we are deceitful from the womb.  So, even at anyone’s best, it would still fall far short of the infinite Holiness of God.  He will not and cannot call anything righteous and holy that is not.  But He is ready to give you a gift that will be all that His holiness requires.  Yes, the righteousness of God is a gift when you commit your life to His Son, Jesus Christ. 

 

So why is there the stipulation of a relationship with Jesus?  Because all of us are sinful, and all sin has to be judged, punished.  God gave His Son Jesus to be our sacrifice, for our sins.  Jesus did not sin, He was the only human walking on this earth that was perfect, and so He was the only acceptable sacrifice for the sins of mankind.   So with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the consequences of sin were forever met in the sight of God.  There you have the reason and the plan of God’s salvation, the death on the cross and the resurrection of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ.  Therefore, salvation can be accomplished only through Jesus Christ.  "For there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." 

 

So getting back to that well-known verse, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, (this first part is stated for ALL people) that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  (This second part is individual and personal) to all those who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life.  That one word, believe is all a sinner can do and all a sinner has to do to be saved.  "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. “John 3:18

 

Putting your trust in Jesus Christ and His saving Grace is a conscious decision that you can know in your own mind.  If it is firmly planted you will know where you will spend your eternity.