John 3:15 Commentary and Bible Study

Man living in the world in an unconverted state is in a perilous position. He is condemned by the law and the only future he can look forward to is to perish eternally as the penalty of the law is enforced against his sins. But by faith in Jesus Christ he can be delivered from this terrible prospect. All along, even under the law, what was important was believing, and Nicodemus is shown this from Moses. Your keeping the ceremonial law, which is all part of a visual aid to teach you; that does not secure you a place in heaven. Whosoever believes in the mercy of God – the promises of a Saviour to come in the Old Testament and the record of his coming in the New Testament – will not perish, but have eternal life.He is not speaking of perishing in annihilation, but perishing eternally, consciously in hell deprived of any hope of eternal life, any place in heaven; perishing so that all possibility of life is taken away and the state of the individual is fixed and can never change.