Dr. Dan Hayden •
You don’t want to die forever do you? Perish the thought! That’s our word for today – “perish” – or better yet, “not perish.”
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave, His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
The word “perish” in this verse is the Greek word apollumi. It means: “to destroy fully or completely”. It is a word that is often used of perishable items.
John 6:7 refers to food which perishes. In the same way, it is a word that is sometimes used of spiritual death – separation from God forever – and that is the way it is used in John 3:16. The good news though, is to realize that the little word “not” is used with it. “Not perish” – what an encouraging thought!
The teacher looks at the class and says someone has flunked the exam, and then looks at you and says, “But, not you.” Wow! What relief is in that little word “not”. “Not” changes everything. It’s a word of relief. “Not perish” – that’s a word of God’s mercy. We certainly deserve to perish because of our sin. But, when you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, the Judge of the universe raises His hand at your trial and waves off the punishment of eternal damnation. He says – you will not perish.
Say—how do you spell relief? I spell it N-O-T. Not perish!