Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

Lectionary: 269

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

John 3:16 is often cited. If there is a single most popular scripture verse to appear on billboards and bumper stickers, it must be, "For God so loved the world...." 

John 3:17, however, is often overlooked. 

This coupling like 3:16 and 3:17 is common in the Bible; it's called "negative-positive restatement." The meaning of the first verse is repeated and stressed when the same thing is said negatively. 

For instance, 

• Proverbs 1: 7 -- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.
• Proverbs 3:33 -- The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses.
• Proverbs 3:35 -- The wise will possess glory, but fools will bear shame.

The Lord's warning in John 3:17 reinforces the promise of salvation. The message is the same; and both iterations should be taken very seriously. Salvation is not an option to be chosen among several. It is a singular opportunity impressed upon everyone. If it is offered more than once to those who pass up opportunities, it will not be re-offered indefinitely. Death closes the door to opportunity and only judgement is left. 

Those who proclaim John 3:16 should announce its sobering companion verse, for God's love is irrevocable but not unconditional. (That word does not appear in the Bible.) His mercy is offered freely to those who accept it, who walk in its light. But some "prefer darkness to light because their works are evil." 

We should also notice they are not judged by their intentions but by their works. Intentions mean nothing on Judgment Day. Pro-abortionists may intend to show compassion to unfortunate women but their works are neither compassionate, just, or merciful. 

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light

and does not come toward the light,

so that his works might not be exposed.

But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,

so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

This is a hard truth and more than a few Christians rebel against it. They prefer their "New Testament" god, a force like gravity which inevitably, irreversibly, automatically draws everything into itself. But opponents of the Gospel know what it means, and object even more violently. They want their earthly perquisites and power to continue forever; they want to hear nothing of judgment; and complain violently against the Bible's warnings. Judgment, they say, is Old Testament! 

There is judgment aplenty in the New Testament. Read it again. It's right there in John 3:17; and appears in its true light when Jesus is judged.