Whoever believes in Him is not judged | Devotional | John 3:16-21

Last time we learned how a man is born again — through a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His work of atonement on the cross at Golgotha. We stopped at verse 15. Today we will read from verse 16 to 21.

 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.” (John 3:16-21, NASB)

So the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins was a manifestation of God’s love for mankind. John 3:16 is the golden verse that every believer knows by heart, as it contains the essence of the gospel message. God wants no one to perish, but to have eternal life, and this is possible only through individual faith in His Son.

From this passage we also learn that the first coming of the Lord Jesus to earth was for the purpose of saving mankind. His second coming follows, but not again as Savior, but as judge. Therefore, hurry to be reconciled with God quickly, repent and benefit from His offer. Those who choose to believe in Him and follow Him escape God’s judgment, but those who reject Him will be judged. Do you understand that a third option simply does not exist? And do not think that there is injustice in God. He does not take pleasure in punishing people. If it had been so, He would not have sent His Son to die. We were born in sin and our deeds are evil. Sin prevents us from coming to light, because change does not suit us. We want to live in pleasures and disregard the Creator, our Master. Sin separates us from God, and because He is right and holy in His nature, He does not accept anything sinful in His presence. This is judgment. But no matter how enslaved to sin we may be, He has given us the ability to come into the light, to confess our sins, and to accept His forgiveness.

Let’s pray: “My Father who is in heaven. Hallowed be your name. I acknowledge that I am a slave to sin and I am far from You. I learned today that You loved me so much that you found a way to deliver me from my sin. And this solution is Your Son, the Lord Jesus, who died for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins and give me eternal life. I believe in your Son. I do not want to be judged, therefore I bring my sin into Your light. Thank you for Your mercy. Thank you for making me your child. In the name of the Lord Jesus I prayed, Amen. ”

If you understood this message and prayed with me, I congratulate you. You have made the right choice in your life. Now seek to be baptized and become part of a local church where the Word of God is being studied in order to grow in the knowledge of Him, as the Bible teaches.

God bless you.

Translated by Ina Croitoru