The coming of the Son of God into the world is a manifestation not of God's wrath, but of love. In today's reading Jesus says that God sent the Son not to judge, but to save. And at the same time...
The coming of the Son of God into the world is a manifestation not of God's wrath, but of love. In today's reading Jesus says that God sent the Son not to judge, but to save. And at the same time, the very fact of the coming of the Son of God is already judgment, because He is light. In this light the most important thing becomes visible: people's hearts.
As long as He was not near, it was possible to pretend that everything was all right. More than that, one could say that one loved God and continue living in whatever way was convenient. When He is near, there is no longer any room for any lie. That is exactly why it was so hard for those who saw Him in the days of His earthly life, face to face, to receive Him.
We have believed without seeing Him. The question is what His light is for us: life and joy, or exposure? And do we truly want to meet Him? Let us pray that His light may enlighten our hearts and that He may become our life.
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3:16 Yea, and this was the very design of God's love in sending him into the world. Whosoever believeth on him - With that faith which worketh by love, and hold fast the beginning of his confidence steadfast to the end. God so loved the world - That is, all men under heaven; even those that despise his love, and will for that cause finally perish. Otherwise not to believe would be no sin to them. For what should they believe? Ought they to believe that Christ was given for them? Then he was given for them. He gave his only Son - Truly and seriously.And the Son of God gave himself, Gal 4:4, truly and seriously.
3:17 God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world - Although many accuse him of it.
3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned - Is acquitted, is justified before God. The name of the only - begotten Son of God - The name of a person is often put for the person himself. Butperhaps it is farther intimated in that expression, that the person spoken of is great and magnificent. And therefore it is generally used to express either God the Father or the Son.
3:19 This is the condemnation - That is, the cause of it.So God is clear.
3:21 He that practiseth the truth (that is, true religion) cometh to the light - So even Nicodemus, afterward did. Are wrought in God - That is, in the light, power, and love of God.