Episode 160 - "Do not judge your brother!" James 4:11-12

James 4:11   Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

So in these two simple, clear verses, we have more straight talk from James. It boils down to this; “Do not judge your brother (or sister) in Christ!” But is it really all that clear? After all, it seems like the Scriptures have examples of when people are supposed to judge others within their community of faith. Don’t they? Let’s take a look at this.

Notice that in verse 11, the command is first to not “speak evil against one another,” and then that is likened to judging a brother. The problem with this, James explains, is that doing so “speaks evil against the law and judges the law.” (v. 11) Since it was God who gave the law, you fundamentally set yourself up in place of God by acting as though you are sinless and qualify to be a righteous judge. Clearly, we shouldn’t do that. But exactly how does James understand that judging a brother violates the law? He doesn’t specify a specific command within the law.

A quick perusal of the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20:1-17 reveals at least one commandment seems like a possible candidate to which James was referring. In Exodus 20:16, we read, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” That’s possible. However, it seems like James would maintain the specific nature of that command if that’s all he had in mind. But James says, “Don’t judge” instead of don’t lie against your neighbor. It is difficult to assert that he was thinking of this commandment alone. 

If we take a more broad look at the Ten Commandments, however, we’ll notice that the last six of the Ten Commandments all deal more with our relationship with others instead with our worship of God. Things like “Honor your father and mother,” “Don’t commit adultery,” Don’t steal,” and so forth collectively inform us that God values people and our relationship with others. This faith that the Lord is giving us is not just a belief or reverence for a higher power. Living with others in a way that demonstrates that we value them is very important to God. Therefore, it appears that this judging of others that James has in mind is a means by which we treat others as though we are more worthy or more righteous than others. This thought is not unique to James. 

Jesus taught, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:1-5)

What is Jesus' point? Jesus reminds us that we are guilty of sin as well and that our priority should be judging ourselves and finding ways to grow in obedience and faith. 

Jesus taught this “bird’s eye” view of the law as well. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-40) If we love our neighbor as ourselves, then we cannot judge them as though we are perfect and they aren’t.

I think this is where James is going in James 4:12. “There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” The rhetorical question is, “Who are you to judge your neighbor?” The answer is, “You are not God, the One who can rightly judge, AND you are one who is also a sinner who rightly deserves to be judged by God. Therefore, I do not have the qualifications to judge rightly.

What about those passages in Scripture where the judgment of people seem to be advised or even commanded? Is this in contradiction to what James or Jesus taught? Throughout all of Scripture, there were times when people within the community of faith violated God’s law, and there were false prophets that would arise to deceive people. It’s also very clear that the Scriptures teach that the community of faith should not turn a blind eye to such things. In other words, they were to “judge” actions, ideas, and words to discern what was good and right. The law also provided counsel for such kinds of violations. In Deuteronomy 19:15-20 we read, “15   “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. 16 If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.” 

This Scripture from the Books of the Law was used by Jesus to authenticate his works and his teaching. He pointed out to those who were judging him that he had witnesses verifying that his words and works were from God. (See John 5:30-47) 

There is a sense in which we are to judge. However, the fundamental issue is one of the heart and our motivations. We can ask the question of whether our judgment is out of a heart that is self-righteous or one in which there is sin or false teaching occurring to which there is adequate evidence the community may appropriately confront the offense. The motivation for the latter case is one of purity within the community of faith and the desire to redeem and restore the offender to what is good and right. It is not about vindictiveness or exalting ourselves as superior, more worthy people. Appropriate judgment is one in which the evidence is clear, and the desired outcome is for the good of everyone. 

Jesus’ statement to “pull the beam out of your own eye” is followed by the statement, “then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” In that second part, he reveals that appropriate judgment requires we first deal with our own sin, and then we can help (not condemn) our brother.

Lord - Make us humble before you and before others so that we can identify and address the sin in our own life. Grant us wisdom and grace to help others return to your truth and righteousness.

Episode 152 - "Mercy triumphs over judgment" James 2:8-13

James 2:8   If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

In the preceding verses of James 2, the author has made a strong argument against showing partiality. Essentially, he says that it’s blasphemy against the name by which you are called.

As clear as he is regarding this, he’s not done yet. He reminds his readers of the “royal law.” What’s that? In Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” James repeats the essential part, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (James  2:8) Jesus had said the whole law was represented by two things: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second thing is to love your neighbor as yourself.” (My paraphrase: Matt. 22:36-40, Mark 12:30-31) In fact, this principle is taught in various Scripture passages.

James argues that showing partiality is in direct contrast to loving your neighbor as yourself and says that it is sin, that they have broken the law. We cannot decide which laws we should keep and those on which we can “fudge.” James says, if you’ve broken one part of the law, you are “guilty of all of it.” (v. 10) No wonder Paul asserts in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.” All of us have failed to perfectly live up to God’s holy character and standard in one way or another. Therefore, we have no basis on which to show partiality toward anyone.

So, what does it mean then to “speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty?” I think it means that Christians are not to judge to condemn but to redeem and reconcile. As we search other Scriptures, it is clear the Church is not to allow sin to be practiced and embraced as an acceptable lifestyle. To use the point of adultery in verse 11, adultery is against the law. It is sin. We shouldn’t allow it. Yet, the one who is “caught” or revealed to have committed adultery should be addressed with a spirit of mercy. This means lovingly calling them to stop practicing sin and directing them to do what is right and good. The old saying, “Hate the sin. Love the sinner,” is a good summary of this principle. 

This idea is supported in verse 13. Essentially it says if you want to be shown mercy (implied: from God ), then you better show mercy to others yourself. The final statement of verse 13 is “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” There’s a good motto for us. Perhaps we can make that a mantra for ourselves this week. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” 

Prayer: Lord! Help me demonstrate mercy to others. Help me not show partiality to anyone.

Episode 108 - The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement - John 16:4b-11

(4b) “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

In John 13:36, Peter asks Jesus, “Where are you going?” and in John 14:5, Thomas says to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” So, it seems odd that Jesus would now say, “. . . none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’” What could he mean by this when in fact, a few of them had asked where he was going?

I think the clues to that answer lie in the context of the disciples’ earlier questions of where he was going and the context of Jesus’ indictment in this text. When Peter asks where Jesus was going, Jesus’ response addresses Peter’s expectation that he would follow Jesus anywhere. Jesus said, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” (John 13:36) I interpret that response as, I am going to the cross, the grave, and the Father, and I have a job for you before you can follow me to these three destinations. (My interpretive paraphrase) Shortly after, Thomas pipes up and expresses that they don’t know where he is going even though Jesus had just told them that he was going to his Father’s house to prepare a place for them. So when we get to this text, I notice that the verb translated “asks” is in the present active indicative. This means the translation could read “No one is asking me  (at the present). . .” In other words, Jesus’ accusation is suggesting their thoughts are on the wrong thing. 

The point is that Jesus has continued to make it clear that he will soon no longer be with them physically. Furthermore, they can expect to be persecuted and put to death. How would you likely be feeling if you were in their position? They are sad and despairing, and Jesus is saying their sorrow is consuming them. They should focus on where Jesus is going and what that means for them. When Jesus goes to the Father, he will send the Holy Spirit to them. That explanation should give them joy and hope.

Jesus explained that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of three things: sin, righteousness, and judgment.  The most significant sin the world makes is not believing who Jesus is and why he came to earth. (v.9) Jesus’ explanation of how the world will be convicted concerning righteousness through his return to the Father. (v. 10) I believe this means that God has not been unrighteous by overlooking sin or allowing death, the consequence of sin, to go unchecked. On the contrary, God demonstrated that He is righteous, providing the perfect solution to humanity’s sin through His righteous Son taking on the just punishment for the world’s sin and then conquering death and ascending back to the Father. Paul explains this in Romans 8:3-4, “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” 

Finally, the Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning judgment “because the ruler of this world is judged.” (v. 11) That is the devil himself. 

I see the initial fulfillment of what Jesus says here concerning the Holy Spirit when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost as revealed in Acts 2. Read this on your own time and notice how boldly Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, indicts “the world” of their sin of not believing Jesus and for crucifying him. Look at their response in Acts 2:37. The Holy Spirit convicted them. 

The take-away from this lesson is the joy and hope we have knowing that Jesus is risen and is at the right hand of the Father. He has given us the Holy Spirit. We can follow the leading of the Spirit and speak the truth of Jesus, trusting that the Holy Spirit will convict them accordingly and bring people to faith.

Episode 87 - "I know that his commandment is eternal life" John 12:44-50

John 12:44   And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Throughout this book, Jesus’ primary antagonists have been the religious leaders. But, in this context which I’ve been covering these past few episodes, many people are ultimately refusing to trust Jesus despite the evidence of the miracles he has worked. Conversely, John adds that some of the leaders did believe in him, but refused to confess it before others because they were more concerned about what others thought over what God thought of them. The picture John gives us with these details is that in Jesus’ life and ministry, there has been ample evidence to demonstrate his identity and authority. Yet people, in general, found a reason to not trust Jesus. 

In this segment, Jesus is concisely expressing God’s message that John has reported to us throughout this book. That message is God’s offer to mankind for eternal life. As he has emphasized before, Jesus reiterates that he came to speak God’s message and gracious offer of eternal life. So, to not trust Jesus is to reject God. To believe Jesus’ works and words is to trust God. Jesus is the “light” that shines into the darkness which we are in by nature. He reveals God’s love and power to give us abundant and eternal life. 

Christian faith is not understanding everything in the Bible perfectly. Faith that leads to eternal life is simply saying, “God - I am trusting you that Jesus is the Way to eternal life.”

In my fifty-seven years of life, I am finding it valuable to reaffirm that trust each day. It’s not that I think that somehow I lost eternal life by something I did or didn’t do. No. I believe when God gave me eternal life it was . . . eternal. What I find is that being reminded of who Jesus is and why he came into this world and simply saying in my mind “I believe that” has a way of helping drive out the darkness of the world around me and how it can so easily impact me when I’m not careful.

Episode 86 - "Do you believe what Jesus' miracles say about him?" John 12:36-43

36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” 

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

John 12:39   Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

John 12:40   “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

lest they see with their eyes,

and understand with their heart, and turn,

and I would heal them.”

John 12:41   Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

I begin this episode with verse 36 which has Jesus speaking, “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” John began this letter by saying that Jesus was the true light coming into the world. It’s important to recognize this invitation Jesus is giving to these people who are expressing their doubt even after all these things he has done; even after raising a dead man back to life.

Now in verse 37, we read that Jesus “departed and hid himself from them.” What happens when light is hidden? It’s dark. John seems to emphasize how tragically illogical their response in not believing him even though Jesus had “done so many signs before them.” (v. 37)

John draws the connection of this reality to the prophet Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 53:1. Isaiah was allowed to see the glory of God and told to tell it to others. But, God warned him that they would not believe. What happened then happens again when Jesus comes into the world and reveals glimpses of his glory through his signs. 

At this point, John’s teaching gets uncomfortable because he says in verse 39, “Therefore, they could not believe.” He continues by quoting Isaiah 6:10 speaking of God, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart . . . “ (v. 40) We might be inclined to slam on the breaks and say, “Wait a minute! Why would God do that?” It sounds like God doesn’t want people to believe. 

The problem is that response goes completely against what we’ve seen through this entire gospel. Even in the introduction, John writes, “He came unto his own. But, his own did not receive him. But, as many as have received him, he gave the right to become God’s children. (John 1:11-12, my paraphrase) So what is going on?

When we look at the context here, Jesus has been working the signs the Father has given him and invited them to believe in him. But, through all the signs and teachings they have not believed him. So, at this point, it may be that God has brought judgment upon them so that they could not believe and repent. But, why would God do that? The answer I believe is in what is about to happen. Their rejection of Jesus will lead them to be a party to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. This was the Father’s will and Jesus knew it. Through his death on the cross many more people would have the opportunity for forgiveness of sin and hope of eternal life through faith in Jesus. 

We cannot fully understand everything God does. But, what we should learn through this whole book and reinforced through this text is that we just respond to the message of Jesus and the cross while we have a chance. When that light shines in our hearts and minds, we should walk in that light and believe in Jesus. Otherwise, if we reject the light, it may become hidden and we will be forever in the darkness in which we were born.

Another question this text brings to us is, “If we believe in Jesus, do we confess him before others, or do we prefer glory from mankind rather than glory from God?”

It seems that our daily prayer needs to seek the Lord’s help in letting the light in our life shine upon others.

Episode 51 - Judge with Right Judgement - John 7:14-24

John 7:14   About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

In the last episode John specifies that Jesus would not go to Judea because the Jews (Jewish leaders) were seeking to kill him. One might think that they’d kept that a private matter. But, they’re motivations certainly became known judging by the fear that existed among people to even speak about him. In verse 13, John wrote that “for fear of the Jews, no one spoke openly about him.” This reality needs to be kept in mind as we interpret the passage at hand for this episode. 

Verse 14 picks up the narrative when Jesus has finally arrived in Jerusalem at the Feast and they are about half-way through the seven day feast when Jesus goes to the temple and begins teaching. I’m assuming that the Jewish leaders did not attempt to take him at this point because it would have caused a scene and perhaps drawn the attention of Roman soldiers. Instead, they listen to him teach people and they are amazed at his teaching. They do not understand how he has such understanding having never studied under them. Jesus either hears them or knows what they’re thinking. Perhaps they say it loud enough in order to cast doubt into the minds of listeners that his teaching is truthful or substantive. Whatever, Jesus responds that his teaching is not his own. He has said this before back in chapter five. Jesus always points people to the Father and that he, Jesus, is not here to simply make a claim on his own behalf like others had before or like those do today. We see a point here that is important for us. Our objective should never be to impress people or to gain followers of ourself, but to point people to Jesus. 

Jesus transitions from saying that he is following the direction of his Father in heaven to Moses, the one whom the Jews claim to be following. He tells them that they are not obeying what Moses gave them because Moses gave them the ten commandments and they are disobeying the Law because they are wanting to kill Jesus. At this point they deny that anyone wants to kill him. But, John has already tipped us off that it was known among other Jews of their real motivations.

He continues with his line of reasoning from the Law by saying that Law requires people to honor the Sabbath Day to keep it holy AND the Law requires all male children to be circumcised on the eighth day. Since the eighth day after a child has been born may be the Sabbath, Jesus points out that they will circumcise a child on the Sabbath and they interpret it as acceptable to actually do something commanded in the Law because it’s the sign of the Mosaic Covenant even though it requires doing something. So, he continues, why should it be wrong for him (Jesus) to actually heal someone on the Sabbath Day when circumcision is a form of injury?

This is another learning moment for us. If we feel there are options in a decision of what we should do or not do, we should ask ourselves if there is a principle associated with one that informs us it is the better or greater option to honor the Lord. Our motivation MUST be based upon wanting to obey the Lord over to obey a list of rules. The rules may be good. But, there are truths in the Scriptures that inform us regarding the greater principles of our faith. 

NOTE: In verse 21, Jesus said, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it.” He is NOT saying that he has performed only one miracle. He’s saying that the miracle of healing the lame man on the Sabbath is the one in particular for which they were wanting to kill him.

Episode 38 - Honor God by honoring the Son

Episode 38 - John 5:19-24

John 5:19   So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

The rest of chapter five is Jesus speaking to these Jewish leaders who want to kill him because they believe he broke the Sabbath and committed blasphemy by calling God his own father. I’m going to break this up into three episodes to call attention to details given by Jesus and how they are related to each other.

As you scan through the rest of chapter five, you’ll notice that there are three times Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you . . . “ That is a marker that we should take notice of what he is about to say because it's important. The first begins with “the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing . . . “(v19) The second begins with, “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life . . . “ (v24) The third occurrence begins with, “an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (v25) We are going to look at these first two in this episode.

Jesus’ words “the Son can do nothing of his own accord,” may seem to create a problem when we consider the fact that the author has already clearly expressed and shown that Jesus is God. If that’s true, how can He as the Son of God and full deity “not” be able to do something on his “own accord?” God should be able to do anything on His own accord, right? The answer lies in the context that follows. He “ONLY” (my emphasis) does what he sees the Father doing. What follows then is this picture of a loving Father that shows His Son exactly what He himself does. This helps us have an idea of one aspect of our Triune God. The word Trinity in reference to God did not exist at the time of Jesus' time on earth. Yet, the human authors of our Christian Scriptures are sharing truths about Jesus to help us understand this mysterious nature of God. God is One; yet three in person; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. What this shows us is the perfect will that exists between the Father and the Son. The statement that “the Son can do nothing of his own accord” is not lack of ability. It speaks of the Son’s complete dependence of will and harmony with the Father. 

Verse 21 reveals that just as the Father gives life to the dead, the Son has that authority as well. But, what He does will be in complete, perfect accordance with the will of the Father. 

Verse 22 and following reveal that the Father has given the Son responsibility and authority to judge for the purpose that people will honor the Son. This tells us that the Father’s will is for us not to think of Jesus as one who is secondary or slightly less important than the Father. The Father specifically wants us to honor His Son. In verse 23, Jesus tells them, “Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him (the Son).” This is a strong and harsh statement to Jesus’ antagonists who claim that they are honoring God because they are rejecting Jesus. My interpretation of what Jesus is telling them is, I am not coming on my own behalf. I have been sent by the Father and I am only doing what He wants me to do. If you do not recognize that and believe me, then you are not honoring the Father.

This brings us to the second “Truly, truly, I say to you . . . “ statement. Jesus has just said in verse 22 “the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” This should evoke in our minds the question, “what judgment would he give and on what basis?” Here is the answer in verse 24. Jesus says, “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” Jesus’ word will be in perfect harmony with the Father’s word since the Son does nothing on his own accord. That is why hearing Jesus’ word and believing him who sent Jesus are intrinsically tied together. Jesus IS the Father’s Word, the Father’s message to mankind. Anyone who has heard and believed in Jesus has already escaped the judgment of death. We’ll learn more about this in coming episodes. But, the important thing here is that once someone has believed the Father about Jesus, they have gained eternal life. This recalls John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

Episode 29 - In "light" or in "darkness?"

John 3:19-21

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John has just told us that those who have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God are already condemned to perish. But, those who receive God’s love and receive eternal life are those who believe in His name. In case one might think that this could be arbitrary and perhaps unfair, our text for today makes it clear on what basis are this judgment and condemnation. 

Verse 19 says that 1) the light has come into the world and 2) people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. So, based upon what we’ve already been told in this book, we know that the “light” or rather “true light” that came into the world is the Word which was in the beginning with God and was fully God and that the light and Word is Jesus. Remember, John has already told us that he did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. The point here is that God is not only demonstrating His mercy and compassion to mankind, but He’s also making it painfully obvious. Think of this picture being given. Consider what happens when light is brought into a dark room. The darkness is dispelled and much is illuminated with even a little light. Jesus is the true light that came into the world. 

So, why doesn’t everyone believe in Jesus? Why aren’t people clamoring to find out more about him? John tells us right here; “people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” They don’t want God’s light. If that’s the case, it is not so difficult to understand why there is judgment. God alone is the source of what is good and right.

Notice how verse 21 helps us understand more about others; those who do come to the light. It says, “whoever does what is true (or faithful) comes to the light.” Don’t overlook the fact that some people come to the light. Why is this important? Because this is revealing that they weren’t always in the light if they are coming to the light. They themselves have done evil things and have been in the darkness. 

So why would they come to the light? John tells us, “So that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” There is a two-fold benefit in coming to the light. The first is so that our own evil is exposed by the light and secondly, so that we and others around us recognize that the truly good things we do are actually from God working in us. 

Do you see the amazing freedom there is in that? God sent His only Son into the world to provide us an escape from the judgment for our evil works, but He is also working good within us. There is a concept that should inspire our praise and worship.