Hope For The Condemned...
The Gospel of John Chapter 3
Scripture: John 3:16-21 (Contemporary English Version)
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned. But everyone who doesn't have faith in him has already been condemned for not having faith in God's only Son.
Observation: What can you do to punish an already condemned man or woman? Add another death sentence to their life? That would be a bit redundant wouldn't it? Why would you condemn again someone who already stands condemned? John chapter three, verse sixteen is probably one of the most popular verses in the Bible. You can even see this verse displayed at secular sporting events. Many people know this verse and even understand what it means but when it comes to verse seventeen, well that is another story. Verse seventeen states that God didn't send Jesus to earth to condemn us. That makes sense because we were already living out a death sentence. Why would Jesus come to earth to condemn the condemned? The only two reasons for Jesus to come to earth that would make any sense would be to carry out the death sentence or pardon the condemned. I mean if you look at things from this perspective it really is quite awesome because that is exactly what Jesus did. Really, think about it, Jesus allowed His Father to execute our death sentence but the incredible part is that he himself died in our place paying the price for our sins. The death sentence was completed and we were pardoned from paying the price of death ourselves. Jesus did not come to condemn us he condemned himself. What a Savior!
Application: Why do we even tolerate any insinuations that Jesus condemns people? Jesus paid the price to remove our condemnation but we must individually choose to accept his substitutionary death and the pardon that is offered to mankind (see verse 16). God is Not angry with mankind but through Jesus has made provision for the condemned so they can now have peace with God (see Romans 5:1). I have the responsibility to convey the message of reconciliation not condemnation (see II Corinthians 5:18-21)!
Prayer: Lord, help me today to be your ambassador and represent not my own interest but your intent for your creation. May I do whatever you ask me to do to proclaim your words of hope, that you are reconciling mankind to your heart oh merciful God.
This song played on my iPod today as I took my walk and its words echoed in my mind as I wrote this blog. How appropriate to remind me of the reconciliation I need every day. What truth to motivate me to proclareconciliationion to others.
You Are Merciful To Me
You are merciful to me,
You are merciful to me,
You are merciful to me, my Lord
Ev'ry day my disobedience grieves Your loving heart;
but then redeeming love breaks through,
and causes me to worship You
RedeemerRedeemermer)
Savior, (Savior)
Healer (Healer)
and Friend (and Friend)
Ev'ry day (Ev'ry day)
renew my ways, (renew my ways)
fill me with love (fill me with love)
that never ends (that never ends)
©1997 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Ian White
Scripture: John 3:16-21 (Contemporary English Version)
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned. But everyone who doesn't have faith in him has already been condemned for not having faith in God's only Son.
Observation: What can you do to punish an already condemned man or woman? Add another death sentence to their life? That would be a bit redundant wouldn't it? Why would you condemn again someone who already stands condemned? John chapter three, verse sixteen is probably one of the most popular verses in the Bible. You can even see this verse displayed at secular sporting events. Many people know this verse and even understand what it means but when it comes to verse seventeen, well that is another story. Verse seventeen states that God didn't send Jesus to earth to condemn us. That makes sense because we were already living out a death sentence. Why would Jesus come to earth to condemn the condemned? The only two reasons for Jesus to come to earth that would make any sense would be to carry out the death sentence or pardon the condemned. I mean if you look at things from this perspective it really is quite awesome because that is exactly what Jesus did. Really, think about it, Jesus allowed His Father to execute our death sentence but the incredible part is that he himself died in our place paying the price for our sins. The death sentence was completed and we were pardoned from paying the price of death ourselves. Jesus did not come to condemn us he condemned himself. What a Savior!
Application: Why do we even tolerate any insinuations that Jesus condemns people? Jesus paid the price to remove our condemnation but we must individually choose to accept his substitutionary death and the pardon that is offered to mankind (see verse 16). God is Not angry with mankind but through Jesus has made provision for the condemned so they can now have peace with God (see Romans 5:1). I have the responsibility to convey the message of reconciliation not condemnation (see II Corinthians 5:18-21)!
Prayer: Lord, help me today to be your ambassador and represent not my own interest but your intent for your creation. May I do whatever you ask me to do to proclaim your words of hope, that you are reconciling mankind to your heart oh merciful God.
This song played on my iPod today as I took my walk and its words echoed in my mind as I wrote this blog. How appropriate to remind me of the reconciliation I need every day. What truth to motivate me to proclareconciliationion to others.
You Are Merciful To Me
You are merciful to me,
You are merciful to me,
You are merciful to me, my Lord
Ev'ry day my disobedience grieves Your loving heart;
but then redeeming love breaks through,
and causes me to worship You
RedeemerRedeemermer)
Savior, (Savior)
Healer (Healer)
and Friend (and Friend)
Ev'ry day (Ev'ry day)
renew my ways, (renew my ways)
fill me with love (fill me with love)
that never ends (that never ends)
©1997 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Ian White
Thanks, Pastor, This verse you spoke life from reminds me why God does desire for us to reach the people He loves; Everyone.
I was condemned, and someone reached down into my dark world and spoke life into my darkness and made it light. THEN they continued to speak the truth over me until I GOT IT! Because, it was wonderful that someone would speak light into my world, but if I stayed in the darkness that wouldn't have pleased my God. So, someone continue to remind me that there WAS hope for the lost ~ UNTIL I stepped out of my despair and leaned on Christ.
Thank you for reminding me on were we all came from.
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9:30 AM