John Chapter 3 contains one of the most powerful and famous verses in all of the Bible. John 3:16  

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

 What powerful and comforting words. “God Loves the world” so much so he sent Jesus to save the world. People cling to this and champion these words. However few people know the entire context to understand what that really means.  

17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18 ESV

Jesus did not come to Judge the world. He came to save the world. For those of us who believe in Jesus and accept what he has done there is no judgment. But John recounting what Jesus told Nicodemus went on to say that anyone who rejects Jesus is already under judgment and has already been condemned to death.

 Do you get that? Judgment has already come. We have already been condemned. We are all already cut off from God. That is why Jesus did not come to judge when he became a man. In His conversation with Nicodemas Jesus first started off by telling Nicodemas that he must be born again.

 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” John 3:3-4 ESV

Jesus went on to explain that a new spiritual birth was needed. That spiritual birth is only secured through what Jesus did on the cross paying our penalty. New life in Christ is the only way forward out of condemnation and death.

 So those who reject Jesus, and God have a problem. They have chosen the death of this earthly world over an eternal future life. So by what standard does God judge those who reject His Word?

19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” John 3:19-21 ESV

Many refuse to yield to a new life in Christ. Most continue to pursue their own selfish ambitions. Many think the world revolves around their desires and wants. They think they can accomplish anything they want… If that is you then Jesus has just called you evil in John Chapter 3. Jesus says that you are condemned because you prefer the darkness of rebellion because you think it hides your sins. Each of person must reconcile the truth that Jesus proclaimed against their own motives. His offer is to continue under judgment or to be born again.

If you enjoyed this then click the like button, leave a comment, or ask a question! If you like John 3:16 have you ever taken a deep look at John 3:18? It is great follow up for context on God’s judgement.