John 3: 14-21,
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],
15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may [c]not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],
15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may [c]not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
I am sure that most, if not all people in most countries around the world (those who have internet capability) have been made aware of this simple, non-threatening, informative, insightful, and necessary passage of scripture packed and full of truth and insight into the heart, mind and will of God. It proclaims the extent of His Love for all of us (mankind world-wide), how He demonstrated this unique love by giving His Only begotten Son as provision for those (among all humans for all time dwelling on earth) willing to trust in His provision to escape pending doom in Hell and receive eternal life instead with in Heaven.
17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
I would venture to say that far less people world-wide are aware of this passage of scripture. It clearly states that God did not provide His Only begotten son to judge, condemn, or damn the world. This is Good News to and for us All. The purpose for sending His Son was not to condemn us, judge us, or DOOM us to Hell for all Eternity. Why do you think this clarification was made by Him? I believe God wanted to inform us that sentence for us and our sin has already been proclaimed and pronounced by Him. There is no need to proclaim or pronounce it again (read Romans Chapters 1-3 for a better understanding of this pronouncement). God is proclaiming a provision for His pending judgment against sin of all kind manifested in all of it’s various ways. He clearly states “but that the world might find salvation .. through Him”. Why does the world need to find salvation if it is not condemned? This is God’s way of verifying and validating the truth and reality of the coming judgment for sin. He informs us of a way to escape this pending doom by placing our trust and faith in His Son and his finished work on the cross on our behalf as a provision for our sin of which we are all guilty of.
Through the Bible (esp. the New Testament) there are list of sinful acts that are under the condemnation of God. These lists are not exhaustive. They are merely a list of the heinous or common sinful acts that are under the condemnation of God and consequently those who practice these things are also under the same condemnation and judgment. I am not sure why some people are very vocal in expressing disdain, resentment, and judgment for those who inform them that because they continue to practice certain sinful acts, that they are under the judgment and condemnation of God. We are all under this condemnation and judgment regardless of what particular sins we choose to practice. No one can escape this judgment, condemnation, and doom ultimately manifested by being damned to an eternity in Hell. God has informed us all that He has sent His Only Begotten Son not to inform us of our judgment, but to inform us of the only provision made available to us to escape this judgment.
Through the Bible (esp. the New Testament) there are list of sinful acts that are under the condemnation of God. These lists are not exhaustive. They are merely a list of the heinous or common sinful acts that are under the condemnation of God and consequently those who practice these things are also under the same condemnation and judgment. I am not sure why some people are very vocal in expressing disdain, resentment, and judgment for those who inform them that because they continue to practice certain sinful acts, that they are under the judgment and condemnation of God. We are all under this condemnation and judgment regardless of what particular sins we choose to practice. No one can escape this judgment, condemnation, and doom ultimately manifested by being damned to an eternity in Hell. God has informed us all that He has sent His Only Begotten Son not to inform us of our judgment, but to inform us of the only provision made available to us to escape this judgment.
18 He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]
This is clearly stated by the words “but he who does not believe is judged already because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God.” If anyone chooses not to believe in and accept God’s only provision for our sin- manifested in the various sins that we are guilty of, we remain under the judgment and condemnation of God. After God makes this clarification of judgment and provision, he provides further insight into our current state apart from Christ in the next few verses.
19 The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.
20 For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.
21 But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].
20 For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.
21 But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].
Evil doers – those who willingly and continually choose to practice deeds defined as sinful by God, are not interested in trusting in the provision for their sins because they enjoy their sinful pursuits too much or have convinced themselves that they could never give these sinful acts and deeds up. Since this is the case they ignore, run from and shun the light of truth proclaimed in the Bible. They are not concerned that they are under the judgment of God for choosing to continue in their sinful state and not avail themselves of the gracious provision from God the father.
People are either going to spend all Eternity in the presence of God or banished for all eternity from His presence. Why would someone who chooses to indulge in their sinful acts for all their days, living apart from God and without any concern for him desire to spend any time with Him when their time on earth comes to an end? Most people who have chosen to reject the provision of God have no desire to spend all eternity with Him, those who desire to spend eternity with him or are indifferent to this, definitely do not desire to spend any time in Hell. But there are only (2) options made available to us all – Eternity in Heaven with God or Eternity in Hell without Him. There is no third option for those who desire to live for themselves, in submission to some moral code, or just try to do more good deeds than evil or sinful deeds and believe they will to escape Hell by doing so. If you have no desire to spend eternity in Heaven with God, you will spend eternity in Hell apart from Him. There are those who believe that there is some third option because even though they aren’t interested in any provision for their sins made available by God, they believe that their attempt to live a good moral life should count for something and be enough to allow them to escape final judgment being damned to an eternity in Hell. This is not the case. The only way to ensure residence in Heaven for all eternity as opposed to Hell is to accept the provision of God for our sin – His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Personal Savior. If anyone dies and has not taken advantage of this gracious provision, they are with certainty damned for all Eternity in Hell - where there is no cease of suffering, darkness, agony and torture among other things for all Eternity. Actually any description of Hell will not do the actual experience or state any justice. The real Hell is even more Hellish than any thought, description, or concept imaginable. If anyone thinks they can just simply choose not to believe in Helll’s existence, they are in for rude awakening. Pray that we all come to a knowledge of the truthfulness of Hell, accept the provision of God and realize an eternity in Heaven with God instead of the inevitable doom waiting for those who choose to continue in their damned and doomed state apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thanks for your time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you haven’t already, begin your new year with a new relationship with Jesus Christ.
People are either going to spend all Eternity in the presence of God or banished for all eternity from His presence. Why would someone who chooses to indulge in their sinful acts for all their days, living apart from God and without any concern for him desire to spend any time with Him when their time on earth comes to an end? Most people who have chosen to reject the provision of God have no desire to spend all eternity with Him, those who desire to spend eternity with him or are indifferent to this, definitely do not desire to spend any time in Hell. But there are only (2) options made available to us all – Eternity in Heaven with God or Eternity in Hell without Him. There is no third option for those who desire to live for themselves, in submission to some moral code, or just try to do more good deeds than evil or sinful deeds and believe they will to escape Hell by doing so. If you have no desire to spend eternity in Heaven with God, you will spend eternity in Hell apart from Him. There are those who believe that there is some third option because even though they aren’t interested in any provision for their sins made available by God, they believe that their attempt to live a good moral life should count for something and be enough to allow them to escape final judgment being damned to an eternity in Hell. This is not the case. The only way to ensure residence in Heaven for all eternity as opposed to Hell is to accept the provision of God for our sin – His Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Personal Savior. If anyone dies and has not taken advantage of this gracious provision, they are with certainty damned for all Eternity in Hell - where there is no cease of suffering, darkness, agony and torture among other things for all Eternity. Actually any description of Hell will not do the actual experience or state any justice. The real Hell is even more Hellish than any thought, description, or concept imaginable. If anyone thinks they can just simply choose not to believe in Helll’s existence, they are in for rude awakening. Pray that we all come to a knowledge of the truthfulness of Hell, accept the provision of God and realize an eternity in Heaven with God instead of the inevitable doom waiting for those who choose to continue in their damned and doomed state apart from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Thanks for your time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you haven’t already, begin your new year with a new relationship with Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment