Judges 17-18 / John 3:1-21 / Psalm 104:1-23 / Proverbs 14:20-21
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
These are probably the most well-known verses in the Bible. I want to highlight them, paying special attention to verse 17-18. Do you see it says God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but to save it through Him? This is not the time of judgment. That time is yet to come. This is the time of salvation!
And do you see verse 18 says there is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him? Not only does Jesus Christ forgive our sin, but He also takes away our judgment or punishment. We are the ones who were alienated from God because of our sin. Not only did Jesus heal our alienation, but He also took away our penalty. We are the ones who were “wrong”.
1 Peter 3:18a Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
The just died for the unjust. The perfect was sacrificed for the imperfect. Are you feeling thankful yet? The punishment I deserve has been taken away by God Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. It’s absolutely crazy to consider anyone doing this! And that is one massive difference between earthly and Heavenly thinking. Here we are again contemplating the Upside-Down World.
Where those who deserve death are gifted life. Those who did nothing to deserve the gift are given the greatest gift imaginable. Considering these facts, how could I not give all of myself in service to the One who came to rescue me? I willingly give Him everything. And I pray you will as well.
May your heart be moved. May your life be changed. May you receive this greatest of gifts.
