John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Therefore, with the understanding that God prefers to have all persons saved and taken to heaven, let’s unpack our first opening passage, so as to grasp the importance of the following three questions, with the correct answers, in the context of who is going to heaven. Question [1] What does it mean to “Believe” in The Son of God? Question [2] Why use the symbol of the uplifted serpent? Question [3] Why is the phrase “Should not perish” used instead of “Will not perish”?
Question [1] What does it mean to “Believe” in The Son of God? Answer: Believing in Jesus isn’t something that is to held in a merely theoretical format. “Believe” is a verb, a word that involves and includes action. Thus, a person who truly believes will be spurred to action in order to confirm or manifest their belief. Hence the reason why faith without works is dead, because when one believes, the very next thing to occur is action.
In 1992 when hurricane Andrew was forecast to come ashore with wind speeds in excess of 160 mph, Floridians believed, but they didn’t just sit there and do nothing. Bags of sand were placed around many businesses and homes, loose patio furniture was brought on the inside, windows were all boarded up, and your local Home Depot was abuzz with activity, until we hunkered down, for what turned out to be one of the costliest storms in U.S history.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!