“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. -John 3:16-18 NRSV
As one reads through the Old Testament it is clear to see that even the most spiritual of humans did not really understand who God is. It had to break God's heart to see himself portrayed as One who does not love. In the most famous verse in the bible Jesus, God himself, tells us why he came. It was not condemnation but love that caused him to come.
And he follows up this magnificent verse by telling of the importance of our reaction to his coming. He tells us that he came to save us and to free us from condemnation. When we believe in him we are born from above and freed of the guilt and shame that comes from sin. If we resist the Holy Spirit and refuse to believe we are left in our condemnation.
Lord, thank you for loving us so much that you came to set us free and show us the way.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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