(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)
This verse if often used to promote the view that God has simply made salvation possible for all people. In reality Jesus has actually accomplished salvation for his people.
The term "world" does not refer to every single person in the world (See John 17:9) but to people from all nations not just Israel. God has chosen to save people from different groups and of different ethnicity. Jesus is the only unique Son of God. The Father and the Son are of the same essence and nature. Christ died on the cross to save his people from their sins. Jesus lays down his life for the sheep (See John 10:11).
'Whoever believes" refers not only to Jews but to Gentiles as well. "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (John 6:37,ESV). Those who believe are God's elect who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (See Ephesians 1:4).
Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. They will enjoy eternal blessings in God's presence in heaven. Those who do not believe in Jesus will perish by suffering eternal judgment in hell.
