Scripture Reading:
(17) For god did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of god’s only son.


Observations:
(1) This passage does not mean there is no judgment day.

At first, this passage may appear to contradict other passages in the bible. Many other passages refer to a time of judgment, where Jesus will come back and judge the world – with who are considered to be righteous by the lord being taken to heaven and those who are not missing out.

But this passage says that God did not send Jesus into the world to judge the world.

How can this be? Why do some biblical passages claim that Jesus will judge the world when this passage appears to contradict such a claim? Isn’t this passage completely contradictory to other passages? Is there going to be a judgment, or isn’t there?

Yes, there is going to be a day of judgment, and no, I do not believe that the passages are contradictory.

I believe that this passage refers specifically to the first coming of Christ. There are actually two comings of Christ described in the bible. On the first occasion, Christ came to save us – he came to take the punishment for our sins and call people to salvation through him.

However, on the second occasion, often referred to as the second coming, Christ will come to judge the world.

This passage is clearly referring specifically to the first coming. Notice the tense used in verse 17 “For god did not send…” Past tense is used, meaning that the passage is referring to an action completed in the past. Passages which refer to the second coming refer specifically to a future event.

Accordingly, this passage is referring to the past event of the first coming, and does not in any way invalidated what other passages say about the day of judgment..

The purpose of the first coming of Christ was not to judge the world. Yes, there will be a day of judgment, where Jesus will return and judge the living and the dead. But first, he came to call us to salvation through his death on the cross.


(2) Non-believers and condemnation.

As with the previous passage, verse 18 reinforces the importance and consequences of believing in Jesus.

This passage states that he who believes is ‘not condemned’ and that he does not believed is ‘condemned.’

What does this mean? It means those who have faith in salvation through Christ’s death on the cross are forgiven by god for their sins, and will be free to enjoy everlasting eternal life in heaven after death. Unfortunately, not so for those who do not believe.

Why are non-believers condemned? Why does the bible say that non-believers will be denied the right to go to heaven after death? From a human perspective, this does not seem fair.

Verse 18 provides a few ideas as to why this so.

The latter half of the verse states that “..he has not believed in the name of god’s one and only son.” The previous verse (verse 16, refer previous post) describes how god sent his one and only son down to die for our sins.

This was a huge price for god to pay, one that is far beyond any of our wildest imaginations. Yet for all his great sacrifice, still some people fail to recognize or acknowledge god’s only son.

This is an insult to god, one he can’t possibly ignore or overlook. God simply cannot turn his head and say, “Oh well, they did not acknowledge my son. It doesn’t matter. No problem.”

No, he cannot do that. That is why he can only grant his peace offer of salvation and forgiveness of sins to believers, those who have acknowledged the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross.


Prayer:
Dear heavenly father,

Lord, we know from your word, that there will be a day that you return and judge every one of us. Lord, you are righteous and your judgment is just. We are accountable to you for our sins. You have every right to judge us.

But thank you, thank you, O Lord, that you did not just leave us dead and hopeless in our sins. Thank you that before you came to judge us, you came to call those who you wish to save to you.

We are all sinners and none of us can stand by ourselves in your judgment. But thank you that before you came to judge, you came to save those who you have chosen to believe in your name.

Lord, it is not our right not to recognize your son. Your son is righteous and holy, your son is our only hope to restoration with you. You sent your son to pay for our sins and we have no right not give him full recognition as your son.

In these things I pray.

In your great name,

Amen.