Sweet Comfort
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John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Some have called these passages the “Christian Comfort”. I agree wholly with that. Some call it the “Proclamation of the Saviors Purpose”. I agree with that also. It’s a pity though, that not many read past verse 16, and it is seldom divided for the perfect wonder and truth that’s contained in these passages.
John 3:16 tells us that Gods Love doesn’t just rest on a few, but rests on the Whole World. So much so that in Gods Plan He gives His Only Begotten Son as the final sacrifice for our sins, and doesn’t stop there. He then makes this gift of salvation obtainable to all by telling us that “Whosoever” believes on the Lord is not going to perish in the hell we deserve but we will have“Everlasting Life” through Him. I don’t know about you but to me the word “Whosoever” means anybody who will.
The Lord then goes on to tell us in verse 17 that Jesus wasn’t sent by God to Condemn the world but that because of Jesus the world (another word that means anybody) may be saved. Isn’t it precious to understand that God doesn’t play favorites? He loves all that He created.
And you, dear Christian, need to pay close attention to verse 18. Because contained in this power packed verse is the answer to those who say that God isn’t going to send them to hell for not believing in Jesus Christ. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. Explain to them that they are already on their way to hell because they don’t believe in Jesus. God isn’t sending them to hell, they are doing it on their own by not accepting the free gift of Salvation. It’s their choice just the same as it was yours.
God did what needed to be done to restore fellowship with Him, all we need do is accept and be His again.
Further Study Verses to Ponder on:
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John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
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John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
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Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
Your Servant in Christ Jesus, Timothy (the Parson)
I agree that it IS comforting to a Christians to know how much God, the Father loved us. It is the beginning comfort for a sinner to realize that He sent His Son to save us.
I do think it’s a problem, however, when you look up into the stands of a televised football game and see someone, holding a sign, with “John 3:16,” emblazoned across it.
Why? Because it causes the atheists to become emboldened, as they seek to make us look bad. They will, then, write newspaper articles or magazine articles, where they will mock the man or woman, holding that sign.
Let’s not forget that the American media is anxious to agree with the atheist and hope to use their medium to pull as many unbelievers as far away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they can.
So, when they mock the person, who is holding that sign, they belittle the Lord Jesus Christ and scare the non-believers, who are thinking about righteousness, away from salvation.
All of this appears to cause more harm than good.
1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
I’ve just re-read this and another thought comes to mind: When the Light, first, began to shine into the darkness, He wasn’t noticed. Now, 2018 years later, He is still, largely, unnoticed and some, who have noticed Him, have chosen to ignore Him, His mercy and His salvation.
What a sad world we live in!