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The World – The People

John 3:16

In reading John 3:16, we sense the deep passion and love that the Creator has for mankind. But toward whom is this love directed? Is salvation only for the “good” people of the earth? Has God provided a sacrifice only for a certain nationality? If every man is a sinner by nature, then who can be saved?

An Inclusive Gospel
The word “world” in John 3:16 means mankind as a whole — the entire human race that has rebelled against God and deserved to die. Hebrews 2:9 declares that Jesus “…should taste death for every man.” God loves all of humanity without distinction or exception. The Jews of old believed that God’s love was national, limited to Israel, but the Gospel of Christ tears down those barriers. A love that nailed the Son of God to a criminal’s cross does not recognize such boundaries.

This truth is seen in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Though a ruler of the Jews, educated, wealthy, and steeped in tradition, Nicodemus still needed to be born again. Religion, pride, and heritage could not save him. Jesus told him plainly, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) What was true for Nicodemus is true for every man — salvation is for all who will believe.

An Impartial Gospel
Some claim today that God’s love is partial, given only to the “elect.” But the Bible teaches that Christ died for all. The invitation is “whosoever will” — and the only ones excluded are the “whosoever won’t.” God has made His plan of salvation available to every man and every woman. Christ’s motto was, “Whosoever will, let him come.” When the writer of Hebrews asked, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. 2:3), the answer was clear — there is no escape apart from Christ.

An Inexhaustible Gospel
God’s love cannot be confined to one age of history. The declaration “God so loved the world” stretches across all time. Old Testament prophets preached the same salvation by faith that we proclaim today (Acts 10:43). From Adam to the present moment, God’s love has never failed. It looks backward to all who lived before Christ and forward to all who will ever live. His love is as timeless as He is.

An Individual Gospel
The “world” in John 3:16 does not mean the planet, but the people. God does not simply love a mass of humanity; He loves each individual. First John 2:2 tells us, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” He loves every man, woman, and child personally, fully, and eternally. His love is not divided among billions — it is given completely to each one.

If there had been only one sinner on earth, Christ still would have come and died. That is the depth of His love. God so loved the world — and that means He so loved you.