The Passage
John 3:16-21
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 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. 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. 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.”
Word Work
Personalize the meaning. Respond as God speaks to you through the Scriptures. Ask: How could my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?
Word Thoughts:
Those who do not believe in Christ do not have a neutral standing before God. They stand condemned already. This refutes the idea that a sincere person following any religion can have eternal life (see 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5–6). (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- How does this passage teach that Jesus is the only way to be saved?
- What is light and darkness?
17 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.
End in Prayer
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