Or, Confused? In despair? Accept Love's Gift Now!

In the previous section in this chapter of John, the visit with Nicodemus doesn't clearly end. The verses from 16 to 21 might either be concluding statements to Nicodemus , or comments by the author to expand on the discussion with Nicodemus.

Comments are provided by Keith, Nathan, and our favored old time radio bible teacher, J Vernon McGee (See credits below)..

Notes

The most important statement of the gospel, maybe in the whole bible.

Verse 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.

There are two actions. God loves, and the reciprocal to it, we believe. In the middle is a gift we don't deserve.

Love. By itself it doesn't save us. What it does do is provide grace. Its grace that saves. Grace is a gift. It only requires belief. It's a gift that's sufficient for the world.

Belief. It's a passive act. To accept something. it's not doing something. Belief results in salvation from the consequences of sin. The result means there is no condemnation, no judgement. No death.

Eternal. Not only the amount of time, but quality of life. Through belief, we are found to be approved by god.

Parish. Another verb. Its the result of not believing. The opposite of life. It doesn't mean to stop existing, but utter failure. To lose all that makes existence worthwhile. A continuing state of Destruction. Its the result of doing nothing.

Verse 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.

God's purpose, and desire is for salvation. He didn't send his gift to judge, or condemn. He did it to save and redeem.

Note: This verse is the only one with a challenge. Did Jesus come in love, or in judgement? In the show, Keith shares what the response is from "The Big Book of Bible Difficulties," by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. Copyright 1992, Baker Books. The short answer is, context. References to his judgement involve his second coming. References to his love relate to his first coming.

Here's the gift, now what?

Verse 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.

Once again, belief is the only action on our part. To passively accept the gift. To do nothing is to perish. To go into eternal destruction, judgement, and despair.

Believe, and avoid the condemnation already in your future.

Verse 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.

The difference between the elect and the doomed is not guilt. Its not even innocence, or doing good works. Everybody sins, all are doomed. All prefer the dark. All we are inclined to do is evil.

Verse 20

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

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."

Attitude is the difference. Some are drawn to the light. Evil hates the light for exposing evil deeds. Lovers of truth are drawn to light. There are some who love to have their works of truth seen.

How does this happen? The Holy Spirit gives you the faith you need. Does the light of the gospel message make you f...