John 3:18-21

Finishing up Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, this should be music to our ears: “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him.” It couldn’t be any clearer. Jesus took our judgment away—if we believe. If we choose not to believe, we already stand judged for not believing in God’s Son. In fact, all who choose not to believe stand judged.

Jesus goes on to explain that this judgment is based on the fact that God sent His Son into the world as the Light of the world, but people chose the darkness over Him. Think about that for a moment. To not choose Jesus is to choose the darkness.

We were in a desperate state before Jesus came because we were destined for judgment. There was no way out for us; sin had infected all of mankind. Jesus is the cure, and yet people still choose not to accept Him. Consider the following Scripture:

“Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said, ‘I will take revenge. I will pay them back.’ He also said, ‘The Lord will judge his own people.’ It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:26–31 (NLT)

It was no small thing that God did for us by sending His Son to die for us—a gift we did not deserve or earn. To reject that gift is the ultimate insult, a slap in the face to God’s grace. The Holy Spirit, who offers God’s mercy to us, takes this rejection personally as well.

What do we really have to lose by believing in Him? Maybe a friend or two. But what do we have to lose by not believing in Him? Everything.

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