”For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17New International Version (NIV)
John 3:17 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him
John, in John 3:17, opined that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him“. He did this based on the conversation that transpired between a pharisee named Nicodemus and Jesus Christ.
Jesus had to be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life
In this dialogue, recorded in John 3:1-15, Jesus concluded their conversation by telling Nicodemus that “He had to be lifted up” so that “whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). This is the statement that made John comment that “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
However, this was John’s second comment regarding the crucifixion and death of Jesus. His first comment is recorded in John 3:16, where he highlighted God’s love as the motivation for Jesus being “lifted up”.
God sent His Son into the world to save the world
Therefore, God sent His Son into the world to save the world. Jesus came into the world to save it (John 12:47). His ministry was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) through Jesus Christ. And God’s salvation comes through belief.
No wonder John added that “whoever doesn’t believe in Him stands condemned” (John 3:17). Because the world, which includes you, was already under condemnation for sin.
The world was, therefore, lost and separated from God. Consequently, God did not need to further condemn the world, you included. His desire was for every one of us to become a believer (John 12:47, Luke 19:10, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 2 Peter 3:9).
People loved darkness instead of light
Sadly, John added that “people loved darkness instead of light” (John 3:18). This is because their deeds were evil, making them hate the light, which would come with receiving Jesus, and end up exposing their evil deeds (John 3:19-20).
You, therefore, have to hate darkness and love the light. Because your love for the light is what will pave the way to eternal life.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord God, thank You for availing salvation to me. And that I only need to believe in Jesus to receive it.
I look forward to the Your gift of eternal life. This is my prayer of thanksgiving in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Samuel 4-7 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
