“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” — II Peter 3:9
God doesn’t want anyone to experience permanent death (2 Peter 3:9). He loved us so much that He devised a plan to free us from the grasp of sin and provide forgiveness for all time.
In the Bible, John 3:16 says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
Before time began, God has existed in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is no division between these three Persons. Though it’s difficult for us to understand, they are one God. Jesus Christ is God’s Son, and He is also God.
So when the Bible says, “God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,” we see that God really gave Himself.
Because humanity failed to live according to God’s standard and had fallen into spiritual death, Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth to live as a man. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles. But the world rejected Him and crucified Him on a cross.
He died on that cross and was buried in a tomb, but three days later, He rose from the grave.
What the world didn’t realize was that dying on the cross was Jesus’ plan all along. Through His death and resurrection, He removed the barrier between humankind and God. Because He was also God, Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf so we could truly live.