Most of us can quote John 3:16, but we don’t finish Jesus’ message to Nicodemus without verse 17. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Then Jesus told Nicodemus why he had come to save the world: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

It is the week of Christmas. Most of us will spend time this week with someone in our circle of friends, or even in our families, who does not believe in Jesus like we do. Most of those people will feel like we “condemn” their way of thinking, and they would be right. How do we condemn their lack of belief without condemning them?

Most of the time, John 3:17 is our answer and our Christian perspective. If Jesus told Nicodemus his purpose was to save rather than condemn, then we know that truth is our purpose as well. 

We can get caught up in the need to be right, which can justify some wrong words if we aren’t careful. We can get caught up condemning their wrong beliefs and never earn the right to offer them the truth about Jesus. He was born to save, not to condemn. If we don’t follow our Lord’s motivations, we follow something or someone less.

God so loved the world he gave his Son to anyone who would believe. God wants people to live their earthly lives with the promise and hope of life eternal. God did not send Jesus to condemn the world. Instead, Jesus was born to save the world.

But there is one point of theology we must stand firmly upon. God will only give his Son and his salvation to those who will believe. God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but salvation is a personal choice, and God won’t force anyone to choose. Jesus was not born to condemn; he was born to save. John 3:17 is the only way to share John 3:16.

Wisdom is understanding that the gift of Jesus is our treasure. Our treasure was given to us so we would carefully share it with others. If unbelievers realized we owned and were willing to share a “pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:46), they might be more ready to listen to our message.