God’s Love and Judgment

John 3:16-21

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved 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 the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God”.

Notes

The Book of Numbers recorded an account of when the people of Israel spoke against God and Moses (Numbers 21:4-9). The Lord sent fiery serpents to teach them a lesson, which resulted in some deaths. The people panicked and asked Moses to pray for them. The Lord then instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Whoever would look at the bronze serpent would be healed. The Lord Jesus explained that as the serpent was lifted, so should He. And He would be through the cross and the gospel.

Instead of looking at a bronze serpent, people could believe in Him, resulting in eternal life. In the wilderness, God revealed that He was just and merciful at the same time. God’s judgment is already set because of sin. But through His Son, He shows us His love and mercy.

1. God’s Love

   God expressed His love for the world through His Son; whoever believes in the Son will not perish but have eternal life. The purpose of sending the Son is to save, not to condemn, because He did not need to. Sin already condemned the world.
   
   16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17).
   
   
   
   

2. The Judgment

   The one who does not believe is condemned because he does not believe in the Son. The judgment of God is thus; the light came, but people preferred evil deeds. The text implies that those who genuinely believe would leave their evil deeds. In other words, believing is also repenting.
   
   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 the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (John 3:18- 19).
   
   
   
   

3. The Light

   Anyone who claims to believe in the Son but continues to pursue evil is a liar. Everyone who does not turn away from wicked things hates the light because the light will expose evil. Coming to light means humbly acknowledging our wickedness.
   
   20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:20-21).
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Believe in God’s love through the Son

   Many misinterpret the love of God. Instead of using Biblical truth, they use their own definition of God and His love, which distorts the truth—but not so with us. We must think Biblically about God’s love. God revealed His generous love through Jesus Christ.

   
   
   

2. Be aware of the judgment

   Many are not aware of the judgment that already exists because of sin. We must remain fully aware of the mercy that God provided through His Son. Like the Israelites who were bitten by poisonous snakes in the wilderness, there was no hope for us until God made a way. God made way for love and mercy, and that is through Christ.
   
   
   

3. Proclaim the gospel

   Christ was lifted up on the cross. He died and was buried. He was raised from the dead, and He ascended to heaven. God healed the Israelites through the bronze serpent; God gives us eternal life by believing in the Son. Through His Spirit, let us believe and tell people to believe.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. What was God’s purpose in sending His Son? Explain.

2. Is it a contradiction to say that the Son came not to condemn, but those who do not believe are already condemned? Explain.

3. Repent and believe are two sides of the same coin. Use the text to explain.