Why is belief in Christ essential according to John 3:16?

In John 3:16, the phrase 'whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life' stresses the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation. In the context of the passage, belief is an active, ongoing process—it's not merely a one-time acknowledgment but a continual commitment to trust in the work of Christ. The verse captures a spiritual truth where looking to Christ for salvation mirrors the Israelites looking to the serpent in the wilderness to be healed. Just as those who looked lived, so too does faith in Christ lead to eternal life. This underscores the importance of understanding spiritual need; only those who recognize their sin and impending death will look to Christ and believe.