The final conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus focused on the origin of condemnation and the Power of Light! Following the “famous” verse (John 3:16) Jesus says in verse 17:
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” KJV
Jesus’ mission was not to condemn people but to save people. Our mission is the same!
We learn that the result of yielding to truth, and allowing it to redirect our thought life and imagination, is God’s intention. We become hungry to produce deeds that keep us in the Light. We cherish His Lordship in our lives and believe His Word at every turn. We know:
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. NKJ verse 18
Verses 19-20: This is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Jesus taught that He was the light of the world. Nicodemus, sitting in the dark of night, realized that he believed in Jesus. We come to know that Nicodemus loved the light as much as he loved the truth. Seeking out the truth identifies us as those who are drawn to the light.
We make radical moves when we separate ourselves from popular opinion, and desire God to expose our deeds of darkness. Why? Because seeing our life from God’s perspective makes us unafraid to repent and receive forgiveness! We no longer fear the light.
“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” John 3:20
Here’s the bottom line: Condemned people fear their deeds being exposed. At first read, we may think this is about people around us being found out by people around them. But read verse 20 again and you come to the conclusion that “Coming to Jesus and acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior exposes our sins to us. As we discover God’s perspective we also discover our need for a Savior. Receiving Him, we stand forgiven. Overwhelmed by His grace, we are freed from the consequences of our sins. He qualifies us to be His children. That’s grace!
Wrapping up His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus takes the analogy to its redemptive conclusion: New creatures who do the truth continue to seek the light. Their focus is on Godly deeds done through the power of God. We live by convictions of the Holy Spirit and no longer live condemned, even when we misstep!
Those who walk in the light live from the perspective of God’s Word. I John 1:6-7
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