“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30–31, ESV) 

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Not many biblical authors are as clear as John in stating their purpose for writing. He tells us exactly why this Gospel exists: that we would first BELIEVE, and then truly LIVE. 

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At first glance, BELIEVING can sound easy. “Sure, I believe I should eat right and exercise.” Or, “I believe my choices today shape my future.” It’s not hard to mentally agree with something when the evidence is clear. But do you really believe that you should eat right if you fill your diet with fast food and desserts? Do you really believe your choices shape your future when you excuse simple decisions away as trivial? John makes it clear in his gospel that this type of believing is not what he has in mind. 

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We can also get the wrong idea about what it means to “LIVE.” Many assume “the good life” means upward mobility, personal happiness, and maximum comfort. But John’s vision of life will confront and overturn those assumptions. 

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Many Christians subtly import these shallow definitions into John’s words: “For God so loved the world, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” For some, John 3:16 becomes little more than: “Agree that God exists, and you’ll go to the good place when you die.” 

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But John is calling us to something far deeper. 

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He calls us to stake our lives upon the truth that Jesus is the Christ (the promised, anointed Savior-King) and the Son of God (the One sent from heaven who perfectly reveals the Father). And it is through this believing alone that we receive eternal life…a life that doesn’t merely begin after death, but starts now.