John 3:16 is perhaps the most beloved and repeatedly quoted verse in Christendom. It is regarded as an axiom of positive affirmation concerning one's "belief" as "the" imperative for one's Salvation and rescue from this fallen world. On the surface, this is acceptable and true, given one's sincere belief.
What the Church Pastors and congregants fail to ask is: "What does 'belief' mean?" First, let's quote the verse and associated verses.
Note: ESV used throughout, emboldened emphasis mine.
Joh 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.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Joh 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
Joh 3:21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
In Summation:
God Loves the World, So Whoever Believes, Will Have Eternal Life, Not to Be Condemned but Saved, Who Believes in His Name, Who loves the Light, for there is a Judgement based on Works, Works Acceptable and Approved by God
