Do you have John 3:16 memorized? I hope so. If not, why don't you take 10 minutes right now and work on committing it to memory. Here, I'll help you get started:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
We had a speaker from the Gideons this past week in church. He told us that 3 billion people on earth have never heard John 3:16 before. Maybe he said 3 million, but I think it was 3 billion. Doesn't matter. It's a lot of people.
There are over 7 billion people on earth and I would like to see every one of them commit John 3:16 to memory. That one verse tells us that we are saved by faith alone in "The only begotten Son of God."
But it is dangerous to over emphasize one verse (or one chapter or one book) in the Bible, as though it were more important than the rest. I have problems with red letter editions of the Bible for this reason- as though what Jesus said in the gospels is more valuable that what the Apostle Paul says in his letters. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." (II Timothy 3:16)
Many people do this with John 3:16. Some people do this with Romans 7 as well. Romans 7:18,19 says:
"For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. For the good that I would I do not, but the evil that I would not, that I do."
Many people use Romans 7 to justify a sinful lifestyle - one that will end up in hell. "Well, I know I should not be looking at Internet porn, but you know, even the Apostle Paul talks about his struggles with sin and temptation, and he's going to heaven, so I will be there too."
Our Lord Jesus also says, "Enter ye in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction; and many there be which go in therat. Because straight in the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13,14)
Please, turn your TV off for one hour, and listen to Pastor Joey Faust preach on Dangerous Views of Romans 7. And if you find yourself agreeing with what Pastor Faust says in this sermon, leave you TV off for another hour and listen to Dr. David Murray's Sermon, Should Christians Watch Movies?
