"The Weekly Word"

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         For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him! John 3:17

          It’s so easy for us Christians to latch onto John 3:16. It’s warm and fuzzy and we can all recite it. But I’ve always felt friends that John 3:17 might be the more important verse for us to consider.

          Now don’t jump out of your skin. I didn’t say John 3:16 doesn’t matter. It sure does! And what a blessing God did send his son because he loved us so much! But isn’t John 3:17 the gospel at its finest? It really gets at the negative stuff we might consider. Why God are you doing this or that? If you love us so much, why must I deal with this issue, this problem, this deep hurt, this real challenge.

          Friends, our verse here tells us we can be assured God never means to put us down or condemn us at any turn. God never meant it from the beginning when he sent Jesus. He meant, however, in a world of condemnation, of negativity, of anything’s fine, anything’s okay, anything goes, Jesus can turn us to the right, can save us from all that!

          God, through Jesus, allows us to find the ultimate peace and calm even in the fiercest blast. God sent Jesus so we can know our home is secure with him, not just later, but now as well. We are indeed safe in the arms of Jesus, even if all else crumbles around us. Why, because God never sent Jesus for us to be condemned!

          So, do we fully believe such a thing? Are we ready to embrace Jesus, just as Jesus embraces us? Are we ready to find the joy of sharing love, and not condemning others? Is our purpose reflected in Jesus’ life? God has not sent us either into this world to put others down, to hurt others.

          Yet thank goodness he sent Jesus, because by ourselves, even as good as we might be, every last one of us will hurt others, even if unintentionally. Each of us will condemn others, even if not in spoken words, certainly in unspoken thought.

          And something else I like about John 3:17. God did not mean for us to say everything’s fine, or to be a doormat in saying, God loves everyone to the point we don’t stand up for what’s right. However, we are to do what we can to remain as upbeat and joyful in love, even as others are negative, and be a light of Jesus and the salvation he offers so even if others never turn to Christ, at least for a bit with us, they’ll feel his warmth!

          So, friends be well. Be blessed! And most of all, be of good cheer! Always remember in the end, God never means for anyone to feel condemned, only to feel love!

To God be the Glory

Pastor Brandon