" Come to the LIGHT ! "

 

John 3:16-19 "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through HIM might be saved. 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 has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

     GOD's desire for man is not condemnation but salvation: "For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through HIM might be saved" (v.17). This is why the previous verse assures us that "GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life" (v.16). Those wonderful words, recorded by John, fell from the lips of JESUS. HE went on to say, "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 (v.18). Some people respond that GOD is not fair, that HE is somehow at fault for their unbelief. But JESUS continued on to explain the condemnation: "This is the condemnation, that LIGHT is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (v.19).

     In describing JESUS CHRIST, the living WORD, John had already revealed that "in HIM [CHRIST] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the LIGHT shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:4-5 2nd picture above). Men did not eagerly seize upon the LIGHT, and yet, the LIGHT continues to shine. So, today, the majority of people will not come to the LIGHT because their deeds are evil, they hate the LIGHT, and they do not want to be reproved. But JESUS said, "He that doeth truth cometh to the LIGHT, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in GOD" (John 3:21 pictured above). "Come to the LIGHT, tis shining for thee; Sweetly the LIGHT has dawned upon me; Once I was blind, but now I can see; The LIGHT of the world is JESUS." Yes, HE is truly the "LIGHT of life" (John 8:12 pictured below). JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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