Just keeping It Real (Part 7)

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He 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. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:17-19

Introduction

As we have been sharing the truths and realities of life—time and destiny. It has been irrefutably established that these issues pertain to the entire human race. Therefore, when it comes to life and death issues, one’s faith or beliefs invariably come into focus.

Without question, people hold many different views with an equal amount of confusion and uncertainty on the subject.

Therefore, I believe our text today brings the requisite clarity to cut through the confusion and crystallize with certainty the truth of the matter.

Moreover, since it has already been established that you are going to run out of time, and when you do, you are going somewhere, I will not belabor the point. Nevertheless, it bears repeating because somebody is still missing it...

Needless to say, everybody does not believe what the Bible has to say regarding the guilt of man and the judgement of God upon him because of his guilt.

But, I have been taught that when there is a right vs. wrong or true vs. false question about anything, it is wise, and therefore best, to consult a trustworthy authority. Therefore, I know of no better Authority than Jesus Himself.

In a conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, Jesus reveals the current position of unbelievers and the reason for it. Jesus declares that the fate of unbelievers is not something that is yet to be determined.

But rather, the fate of unbelievers is something that has already been determined, and only awaiting the final judgement. Amen Somebody. Just keeping it real.

Jesus said in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” KJV

Most Christians and even some non-Christians are familiar with the words of John 3:16. For they speak to the love of God and the promise of eternal life to those who believe in the Son of God.

Many athletes, particularly football and baseball, have John 3:16 written somewhere on their bodies or uniforms. Also, whenever a field goal or extra point is attempted, someone raises a sign with this Scripture.

Personally, I love seeing it because I love the word of God. And, I love seeing people who are not ashamed to promote it.

That said, I wish I would see verses 17-19 put on display. For they speak to the purpose that God sent His Son, and the consequences of rejecting Him

The first 21 verses of John 3, is a dialogue between Jesus and a Pharisee named Nicodemus, the “teacher of Israel” and a ruler among the people. The text does not inform us why he came to Jesus, nonetheless, Jesus told Nicodemus what he needed to hear.

By extension, Jesus is telling mankind what in life is really important. Let me see if I can shed a little light on the subject.

By all indications, Nicodemus was a decent, educated, intelligent, highly-respected, and accomplished person. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, a body of men established to rule over the legal and moral affairs of the Jews.

Nicodemus addressed Jesus in a most respectful manner, even giving Him the title “Rabbi.” He acknowledged the fact that Jesus had performed miracles which indicated His close relationship with God.

So, Nicodemus knew a lot and had a lot going for himself. Like so many people today, he thought he had it together. In other words, he thought he was “woke.” However, he found out that not only was he sleep, he was dead and under God’s condemnation.

Nicodemus had religion, but not a right relationship with God. This aught to tell us something. If an orthodox and scholarly Jew like Nicodemus, who trusted in the keeping of the law for salvation can be misinformed, then all other religions are certainly doomed. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Jesus said, God’s purpose in sending His son was not to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. Christ came to save man from the wrath and judgment of God against sin. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

The word condemn in verses 17, 18, and 19, is the Greek word, krino (kree’-no), which means “to judge a person to be guilty and liable to punishment—‘to judge as guilty, to condemn, condemnation.” And since man is born in sin and shaped in iniquity, God did not need to send Christ for this purpose.

Rather, as previously stated, God’s purpose in sending His Son into the world was to save fallen man. Nicodemus found out that this salvation only applies to those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior and only Son of God.

V.18, “He 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.

In this verse we find a very straightforward declaration. There are no ambiguities anywhere in the text. Jesus says, “He who believes in Him...” NAS That is, believing to the extent of complete trust and reliance, which in this case is for salvation. He who believes is not condemned. That’s good news!

However, “he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Wow! What does that mean? How is that to be interpreted and applied? That is a excellent question, and I am so glad you asked.

We know what the verb “condemn” means, but what about its modifier or adverb “already?” The word “already” is defined as - a point of time preceding another point of time and implying completion. In other words meaning “now” or “currently.”

Thus, anyone who does not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God is currently, right now, condemned. Not going to be condemned, when they run out of time, but condemned right now as I speak and as they breathe. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

The word picture is like a prisoner sitting on death-row. The judgement of death has already been determined by a judge—he or she is already condemned. The only thing remaining is the date and time of execution. Now that’s bad news. Do you have the picture?

Unfortunately, most people misunderstand the biblical view of and reason for the Judgement of God. It is not something that is yet to be decided. Unbelievers are not awaiting condemnation, they are already condemned, on death row, and awaiting execution. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

V.19 - “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

What a sad commentary. Here lies the reason why people refuse God’s gift of of His Son, Jesus Christ—they loved the darkness rather than the Light. Why? Because their deeds were evil. Man’s nature is corrupt. There is no part of his being that is not tainted with sin.

Anyone who thinks that their so-called *good deeds* are going to appease the wrath of God, who has already said that “...there is none righteous, no not one.,” is deceive; because, they are already condemned. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Conclusion

Here is the bottom line. Let’s say that you agree that you’re going to run out of time. By the way, if you don’t believe that, you need some really special help. However, your view of what happens to a person after death is different than what the Jesus says.

Let me tell you something, and it is bad news. Jesus says, you are already condemned. And, when you run out of time it will be too late to make a change. Mohammed can’t help you; Buddha, can’t help you; Confucius can’t help you; Moses can’t help you; mamma can’t; daddy can’t, and angels can’t help you.

But, I have some good news for those sitting on life’s spiritual death-row. There is a Savior, whose name is Jesus. He has paid your sin debt by receiving your punishment while He hung on Calvary’s Cross. While on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” The sin debt is paid for all who believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus died for our sins, but that is not where the story ends. He was buried and on the third day He arose again. And now I have been set free from death to life. I heard Jesus say in John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

“There is therefore now, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Amen, Amen, Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.