Interpretation of the Bible / John 3:18

This verse emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as the only begotten Son of God so that we will not be condemned. But what does this really mean for us?

The Meaning of Believing in Jesus

In Jesus’ time, Christianity as such did not yet exist. In fact, He was a Jew and He preached to Jews. But Jesus was never an ordinary Jew. He claimed to be the Son of God, a teaching that made many religious leaders of that time uncomfortable.

But what does it mean for us to believe in Jesus as the Son of God? First of all, it means accepting that He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and that only through Him can we reach the Father in heaven. In other words, it means recognizing that the plan of salvation exists through Jesus.

Condemnation for Unbelief

John 3:18 is very clear on this point: anyone who does not believe in Jesus is condemned already. But why is that? Why is it so important to believe in Him?

First of all, not believing in Jesus means rejecting the only form of salvation that exists. This rejection can be due to many reasons: distrust, unbelief, ignorance, etc. But no matter the reason, the reality is that by not believing in Him, you are rejecting the offer of salvation that God has made to us.

Moreover, not believing in Jesus means going down the wrong path. The world offers us many options, but none of them will lead us to eternal life. Without Jesus, our lives are doomed to a tragic and painful end. But believing in Him gives us the opportunity to have life in abundance (John 10:10).