Ephesians 3:18-19 (That you) may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the width, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ…
As a photographer, I have knelt, stood, and lain on the ground to capture the depth and beauty of a thing from different perspectives. I like to see them all and capture the fullness. Sometimes, it is like that when God shows you something in His word you’ve not noticed before. A whole new dimension opens.
Sunday morning, I was spending time with God in the shower - I like to especially get in His presence after time in the world in order to refill and renew my mind. It was just one of those times. And he began to expound upon a verse I knew by heart, much like a photographer, revealing the depth from each perspective of the diamond or flower.
… it was to me both core and profound from its simplicity; I had NEVER seen this.
Perish in the Webster’s dictionary means: 1. To be destroyed, ruined, or wiped out. 2. To die a violent or untimely death.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God so loved Jessica… that if she believed in Him, she would not perish in her weaknesses; that she would not perish in her sorrows and discouragement. And that failure would not be her untimely end… God so LOVED Jessica that He gave her Jesus – the only one who could save her, so that if she would believe in Him, she would not be ruined or destroyed but have: everlasting life.
Sometimes we view Salvation as ONLY escaping an “everlasting perish in hell”.
But what about everlasting life that would save us from the “perish” in: educational FAILURE, financial FAILURE, relational, emotional, or medical FAILURE. We all face problems in a fallen world! We don’t have to be destroyed, ruined, or brought to an untimely end there! Everlasting Life in Jesus is the answer to all equations. It cancels out all “perishing”.
How is “everlasting life” appropriated over private and public “perishing”?
Everlasting Life, all that it entails, is appropriated and given substance by our faith in Jesus. Jesus and His Word are one and the same. (John 1:1-4, 14) We received salvation, because we believed His word concerning salvation from hell. Therefore, everlasting life was given substance in a major area. But do we stop here? What about everlasting life where financial failure is concerned? Believe His word in that area so that you will not perish in that area… “He gives you the power to get wealth that He may establish His covenant” – Deuteronomy 8:18….
What about healing??? His word says, “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” – Exo 15:26 “He sent His word and healed them...” - Psalms 107:20
What about marriage/relationships? You need to find that out in His word.
God has already made His choice concerning your life and every area it details. “A future and a hope” - Jer 29:11. The choice is now yours. “I set before you this day life and death (perishing)…” - Deut 30:15-30 It’s your choice now. What are you going to do with Jesus/ His Word?
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish (not be destroyed, ruined, or wiped out), but have everlasting life.
The Ultimate Choice
If you find yourself today, having never believed in Jesus for your eternal salvation; no other choice you make matters if this one is one is answered wrong.
Jesus is the answer to all the other choices that may come. But 1’st, He is the deciding choice that cancels out a destiny to destruction and an afterlife of damnation.
What will you do with Jesus?
Romans 10:9 -13 “That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John 3:17-18,16
17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Back to Article List
