Shalom,

Yesterday we looked at John 3:16. Today we want to look at the next two verses:

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)

The Amplified translation says this:

17For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
18He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.]

As believers we need to realize that the Gospel (Greek - euaggelion=good news, glad tidings, proclamation of the grace of God) is just that, GOOD NEWS. Verse 17 is really good news to a sinner. God did not send Jesus, or us, into the world to condemn or judge the world. The curse, the judgement, was already operating in the earth because of the sin of Adam. The sentence was already established:

Romans 6:23a
23For the wages of sin is death;

The price to paid for our sin is death, not physical death, but separation from God. What's the good news then? The rest of verse 23:

Romans 6:23
23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God sent the Son, Jesus, into the world so that the world may find salvation through Him! That's the Good News! John 3:18 says that the sentence, the condemnation, the judgment is removed because of what Jesus accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection.

Let's be about our Father's business of telling the really Good News to all who need to hear! God's not holding anything against them! The ONLY sin that will keep a person out of heaven when they leave this earth is the sin of rejecting Jesus. Is there any reason YOU can't receive Jesus as YOUR Lord and Savior right now? Pray this prayer with me:

Almighty God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on the cross for me, was raised from the dead, and is now seated at Your right hand. I accept and receive Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and I invite Him to come into my heart and become Lord over my life. I thank You now Father, for welcoming me into Your family. You are my Father. I am Your child. Jesus is my Lord! Amen.

Now have a wonderful day rejoicing in the fact that YOU are a child of the One True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible! And tell others the Good News that got you there!

Shalom in Him!