Good News

Steve and I went to a new Bible study class at church tonight. The topic of the study is the Gospel of John, taught by Pastor Jack.

Take a look at this passage from John 3:

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.' (verses 16-17)

We are probably all familiar with verse 16. John 3:16 is quoted all the time, worn on t-shirts, printed on bookmarks.

Why do we ignore the next verse? How many people see God as judgmental, condemning those who do not behave the way they should, who do not earn their salvation? How many of us talk about a "star in our crown" or a divine book, where God keeps a list of our sins?

Why don't we hear verse 17? Why don't we hear that God has not come to condemn us, but to save us? Why do we miss this good news?

Image: Sunrise at HHS