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JOHN - The Light Shines in the Darkness
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to John
PART 1 - The Shining of the Divine Light (John 1:1 - 4:54)
C - Christ's First Visit to Jerusalem (John 2:13 - 4:54) -- What is True Worship?
2. Jesus speaks with Nicodemus (John 2:23 – 3:21)

d) Rejecting Christ leads to Judgement (John 3:17-21)


JOHN 3:17-21
17 For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”

The Baptist preached about a Messiah who would judge mankind, cutting off diseased trees inside his nation. But Jesus told Nicodemus that He would not burn with fire, but that he had come to save. Our Savior is merciful. When the Baptist realized the secret of vicarious atonement, he called Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

In His love, God sent His Son not to the Jews only, but for the world. The term "world" appears three times in verse 17. This was a shock to the Jews who treated the Gentiles as dogs. But God loved the nations also, as much as the seed of Abraham. All deserve judgment, but Jesus came not to condemn but to save. From the start, he fulfilled the picture of the serpent lifted up as in his cross, to bear God’s judgment for humanity. God’s love is not racist but covers all people.

Christ then uses a striking phrase: "Whoever believes in the Son is not judged." Thus all fear is cast out about the day of judgment. So faith in Christ frees us from the death that otherwise we deserve. You are free from judgment if you trust in Jesus.

Those who reject Christ’s Salvation thinking they have no need of it, are blind, foolish, and separated from the grace he provides. Those who do not welcome Christ’s power, keep out the rays of the Holy Spirit’s light. He who scorns Christ’s death or denies it, rebels against God and chooses self-justification. All our works are inadequate and we fall short of God’s glory.

Jesus explains why some folk reject Salvation: They love sin more than God’s righteousness and shrink from Christ the light of the world, so they cling to their sin. Christ knows our hearts, and the root cause of our cruel thoughts. Men’s deeds are vile. No one is good in his own accord. Our thoughts, words and deeds are evil from our youth. These expressions struck deep in Nicodemus, especially as Christ had prefaced them with loving sentiments to break down his pride and draw him to repentance.

Jesus added that he who does not trust in Christ, loves evil and hates the good, clinging to his sins. Most men are hypocrites, hiding their sins under a pious smile. They hate Christ, ignorantly or deliberately. Have you confessed your sins to Jesus? If you do not confess your sins you cannot be born again. Open your heart to God’s light, you will be cleansed; faith in God’s Lamb sanctifies us. So humble yourself and confess your corruption, trusting in Christ, and you will live forever.

Practically exercising our faith means doing the right. This readiness to accept God’s truth is a condition of our renewal. Whoever enters Christ’s truth not just by intellect but by his whole being, is transformed morally. Liars become truthful, the crooked are made straight, the treacherous become loyal. Those born again were not previously good, but have confessed their flaws, and the faithful God has pardoned them. Sanctification has begun in them; He gives them love’s power to practice the works of His Spirit. God works in believers by Christ to achieve the works of peace.

We do not reject good works, but these come not from us but from God. We take no credit; it is by His grace. This means we depart from self-righteousness, based on egoistical efforts, and become open to the righteousness of grace depending on Christ’s blood. All who are reborn and abide in Christ please God. Their lives have become a thanksgiving to His grace. The new birth and the holy life are worship well pleasing to God.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing the judgment for the world. We bow to you, because we will not have to face that judgment, as we are united with you by faith. You have freed us from God’s wrath. We confess our sin before you; cleanse us from the urge to sin. Create in us the fruits of the Spirit, so that our lives may display the adoration and worship to God, the heavenly Father.

QUESTION:

  1. Why will believers in Christ not pass through judgment?

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