John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whosoever believes in Him with not perish, but have eternal life.”
This week, Michael writes that Jesus Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved. However, the gospel is both good news and bad news. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, so those who prefer to live in sin, the gospel of salvation is bad news. It's the gospel of the condemnation of sin unto death. Most people know John 3:16;about the gift of eternal life through Christ. However, death is not the result of sin, but rather rejection of the Savior sent from Father God for sin. John 3:36is perfectly clear, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son does not see life, but the wrath of God remains on them.”
The context of John 3:16 says that those who prefer the darkness instead of light and sin over righteousness condemn themselves. According to the context of John 3:16, John 3:18-21says, “He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
To repent and turn from sin, you must first acknowledge that sin is a problem; universally, that the wages of sin is death and personally, that I have not believed and love the darkness of sin rather than living a life in thought, word and deed, that is acceptable and right in the eyes of the Lord. “A parishioner said to the country preacher, "I wish you wouldn't preach so much about sin, condemnation and hell, but more about the meek, lowly and loving Jesus." He answered, "Everything I know about hell fire and damnation, I learned from the meek, lowly and loving Jesus." In the Bible, Jesus spoke more about Hell than Heaven.
There is an alarming passage in Matthew 7:23 about self-deception and following the deception of false prophets. To these people, Jesus will say, "I never knew you." The context of this verse is in John 7:15-23: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.”Where was their heart?
There are four responses after hearing the gospel message. The firstis outright rejection by those who prefer to hide in darkness to conceal their sin. Many Americans today are in the second category. These people may attend church or have a favorable opinion of Christianity. However, they have never had a conversion experience where they turn from their own sinful nature in repentance and to the Lord Jesus Christ. For the most part, our American culture has turned away from God and His holy Word. Even though most Americans no longer consider America a Christian nation, it doesn't mean that the Word of God isn't true. An individual's and a nation's response to the truth will determine their eternal destiny. Even though they may call good evil and evil good, the Word of God is still the standard for truth. Sanctify us in Your truth, Your Word is truth
Per Matthew 5:22-32, God has called godly Christians to godly marriages to illustrate the relationship between Christ and his church. Just like our attitude toward our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, our attitude toward our husbands or wives must be cultivated. When you're in love, you look at each other through "rosy colored glasses." When you're in love they can do no wrong. Love covers a multitude of sins. Likewise, we must "Keep our hearts with all diligence for out of the heart proceed the issues of life.” We must cultivate our love of God and learn to treasure His holy Word, Will and Way.
There are many false prophets who appear to have the same gifts as true shepherds.
These false prophets are wolves dressed up like sheep. A false prophet always bears bad fruit. President Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." According to the passage in Matthew,by their fruits you shall know them. God hasn't called us to be judges. Rather he's called us to be fruit inspectors. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. This is why the gospel message is both good news and bad news. To those who are called unto salvation, it is the sweet-smelling fragrance of life unto life. To those who are perishing, it is the stench of death unto death.
LEt's continue Michael's message on the gospel in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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