Christ not Sent to Condemn

Nicodemus did not understand the reasons why a person must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. I think that he thought that he had always been a pretty good person. Why would he need to change now? He had the respect and the favor of all the people. And then, he did not understand how such a thing as the New Birth came about either. How could a man be born when he was old? And so he was marveling over the words that he was hearing. Jesus, however, calls this marveling “unbelief” in John 3: 12. He said, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” But Jesus has not come to condemn Nicodemus, but to save him. So, in order for Nicodemus to begin to understand what he must do to be saved, He goes on to tell him of God’s great love for sinners in verse 16; a love so very great that He would send His own Son into the world rather than to condemn it. Verse 17 shows us God’s good will toward all mankind. God’s intention, Jesus says to him, is to save a whole world of those who would believe in Him. Before we partake of the Communion this morning, we want to see 3 ways in which the Father shows us His good will and His particular love to a world of lost sinners. 1st of all, God the Father is a God of justice, but He is also a God of Compassion. 2nd – God the Father has shown His great love to sinners in the plan of salvation itself. And 3rd – God the Father has shown His great love to sinners in His giving them assurance of His favor, that they will not be condemned.