October 17, 2012
Yesterday I wrote about what was said about Jesus in the last verse of John 2 - "He did not need man's testimony about man, because he knew what was in people's minds." Now in John 3:19–21 - Jesus says, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (NIV) My NCV version says, "They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do. But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done by God." Wow!
When you are in a lawsuit, words like "testimony," "verdict," and "judged" jump out at you. To write about John 2:25 ("He did not need man's testimony.") yesterday, and then moments later read John 3:19 - "This is the verdict... and they are judged by this fact," it grabs your attention and just really makes you stop and read carefully to understand what Jesus is saying.
Here is what I take from reading these chapters.
Our life goal should be the same as John the Baptist. John 3:30 - "He must become greater, and I must become less important." It is not about us. It is ALL about Him. Twice in John 3 it says - "The One who comes from above is greater than all." The bottom line (and also the last verse in Chapter 3) is this:
Next Entry: John 4:1–54
Yesterday I wrote about what was said about Jesus in the last verse of John 2 - "He did not need man's testimony about man, because he knew what was in people's minds." Now in John 3:19–21 - Jesus says, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (NIV) My NCV version says, "They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do. But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done by God." Wow!
When you are in a lawsuit, words like "testimony," "verdict," and "judged" jump out at you. To write about John 2:25 ("He did not need man's testimony.") yesterday, and then moments later read John 3:19 - "This is the verdict... and they are judged by this fact," it grabs your attention and just really makes you stop and read carefully to understand what Jesus is saying.
Here is what I take from reading these chapters.
- He doesn't need our help. He knows our hearts and he knows my sister and brother-in-law's hearts. He knows! He doesn't need anything proved in an earthly court.
- We are known by our words and actions. John 3:11 - "We talk about what we know, and we tell about what we have seen." The truth about who we are eventually comes out, it will be known.
- God wants to give grace. He provided the greatest sacrifice—His only son. We have the opportunity to have forgiveness and eternal salvation. But the choice to accept it is ours. God has offered it, but it is up to us to accept it. He will not and cannot force us.
- People who believe are not judged guilty—in this life or in death. Man can try and accuse you of evil in a court of law, but when you have been made free by the creator of the universe you are free indeed.
- The opposite is also true. John 3:18 - "Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty." The criteria has been set. The verdict is determined. People are judged by this fact:
- You cannot do evil, and continue to do evil, and be close to the Light at the same time. It cannot be done. Evil and Light cannot mix. It is like oil and water. Evil needs darkness to exist. Otherwise what has been done in darkness will be exposed by the light. And if it is exposed it will either have to be dealt with (confessed and made right) or it will have to be acknowledged as chosen purposeful sin.
- Those who believe are drawn to the Light. They can't stay away. Their innocence is known. The want to bring glory to God. It is all about HIM.
Our life goal should be the same as John the Baptist. John 3:30 - "He must become greater, and I must become less important." It is not about us. It is ALL about Him. Twice in John 3 it says - "The One who comes from above is greater than all." The bottom line (and also the last verse in Chapter 3) is this:
"Those who believe in the Son have eternal life, but those who do not obey the Son will never have life. God's anger stays on them." John 3:36He provided a way. The choice is ours.
Next Entry: John 4:1–54
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