John 3:1-21 Part 2
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In the part 2 of our series, we continue to learn what Jesus teaches about the NECESSITY OF THE NEW BIRTH.
I. The new birth is a requirement to enter the Kingdom of God (vv. 1-8)
I. The new birth is a requirement to enter the Kingdom of God (vv. 1-8)
II. The new birth is a heavenly idea (vv.9-12)
II. The new birth is a heavenly idea (vv.9-12)
II. The new birth leads to faith in the Messiah (vv. 13-18)
II. The new birth leads to faith in the Messiah (vv. 13-18)
We stopped at verse 15. We learned that those who are born-again will believe in the Jesus Christ as the Messiah, who was lifted up (crucifixion) to save those who believe in Him.
We continue now in verse 16 until 21. In this particular passage, we will see that Jesus came as the light of the world, revealing God in his person and works, proclaiming God’s love and offering salvation to all who believe.
Here we find the summary of the Gospel in vv.16-17. God’s motivation towards people is LOVE (For God so LOVE the World)
The HEART of God: God love the “world” (gentiles included in the kingdom of God).
The PLAN of God: He gave his only begotten Son. This is How God loves the world…God demonstrated His love in GIVING Jesus Christ, God’s Son. (God’s only provision for salvation is through Jesus Christ (no other name)
The WILL of God: Whoever believes in Jesus, receives eternal life.
Eternal life is received by believing (faith) in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The world “ believe”is repeated 98X in John’s Gospel.
This teaches us that we are to believe that Jesus is God and His perfect atoning sacrifice Jesus paid for your sins, so that you will be save.
v.17. God’s purpose in sending His Son is salvation (to save), not damnation (to condemn). God does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23 “23 “Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?”
It was to save sinners that Christ Jesus came into the world. He did not come to help them save themselves, nor to induce them to save themselves, nor even to enable them to save themselves. He came to save them!
William Hendriksen
Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 3
An old legend tells of a traveler attempting to circle the globe who found himself trapped in quicksand. As he slowly sank, Confucius came by and said, “Confucius say, it is evident man should avoid such situations.” And he went on his way.
Mohammed came by and said, “Alas, it is the will of Allah.” And he went on his way.
Buddha came by, and said, “Let this man’s dilemma be an illustration for many.” And he went on his way.
Krishna came by and said, “Better luck next time.” And he went on his way.
Jesus Christ came by, reached out to the man, and pulled him out.
You see, the unique thing about our Lord is that, while all others tell us what we must do to reach up to heaven, He alone reaches down from heaven and pulls us out of the quicksand of sin.
v.18 - The divine judgment for the both the believing and unbelieving people.
For the believers: No condemnation
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.… Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:1, 33–34).
For the unbelieving people: Condemnation.
Didn’t Jesus said that He did not come to the world to condemn but to save? Why is there judgment/condemnation here in v.18? Is this a contradiction?
But let us remember that there are two advents of Christ, one past, the other to come. The first was not to judge but to pardon us. The second will be not to pardon but to judge us. It is of the first that he says, ‘I have not come to judge the world but to save the world. - Chrysostom
Sinners are not, as a general rule, punished here. Their sentence is reserved until the day of judgment. Some people regard every accident as a judgment, but we do not agree with them at all, else should we have frequently to condemn the innocent. This is not the time of judgment. Judgment is yet to come.
Charles Spurgeon
Do not envy the unbelievers who think that God will not judge their unbelief (rebellion) in Jesus. Judgement will come, and it will come like a thief in the night.
Man’s Unbelief in Jesus causes man to be condemned (has been judged), not by God’s predestination but by their own CHOICE. That leads us to the next point.
III. The new birth is necessary because man loves darkness (vv.19-20)
III. The new birth is necessary because man loves darkness (vv.19-20)
Jesus came as light (John 1:4-5; John 1:9), to illumine the minds of man who are living in darkness.
Jesus as the light is a recurring theme in John
46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
But, the problem is this: men loved darkness rather than the Light.
This is the wrong kind of love!
(v.20) They HATE the Light! (wrong kind of hate)
They are afraid to come to Jesus because they don’t want their evil deeds to be exposed. They don’t want to leave behind their evil deeds. They worships and serves “created things rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25).
unbelievers are not ignorant, but willfully reject the truth.
Is this not our story? Bullseye no?
Personal testimony: In the past, when I heard the Gospel, I thought it was good. But I had hesitations to seriously follow Jesus, because I know that I have to give up my evil desires and deeds. I have to give up my vices, disturb my network of friends, and change my lifestyle. So for a long time, I knew the Gospel, but I don’t have a genuine saving faith in Jesus. Until, God intervened and changed my heart that I now started to desire Him more than any thing. He replaced the earthly joys with His joy. He satisfied my longing soul there and then. If you ask me How did it happen, I can tell you. I did not do anything to change my heart. God did it powerfully.
We all have free will to chose between light (God) and darkness (Evil). Everyone must choose his side because there is no neutral side.
Man’s free will is this: He loved darkness rather than the light. (v.19)
10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God;
No one seeks God because no one loves God. man seeks anything but God.
Surely, without Christ (the Light) man will continue to leave in darkness.
That is why the New Birth is necessary and only POSSIBLE by God’s intervening work .
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
What can we do for the unbelieving? Do we care for them?
Preach the Gospel to them and pray that God will regenerate their hearts in order to believe in Jesus.
IV. The Evidence of New Birth - Transformed Life (v.21)
IV. The Evidence of New Birth - Transformed Life (v.21)
Jesus now expound the characteristic of those who are born again: There is evidence of transformation (internal and external)
v.21 - they will practice the truth (external) (practice means do, act, live out. The born-again person will have a new lifestyle, loves truth and hates lies.
The redeemed will always “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8); indeed, it is by bearing the fruit of good works that they prove themselves to be disciples of Jesus (John 15:8). On the other hand, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 7:19).
v. 21. they will love the light rather than darkness (internal) (new love- a love to be obey God, love for God’s command, love for God’s creation.
v. 21. Deeds may be manifested (external), they are not afraid to be exposed to the light.
Why? because their motivation is aligned with God’s heart. (internal)
Though no saving response is indicated here, Nicodemus evidently took Jesus’ sobering warning to heart. John’s wrote implying that he became a true follower of Christ, arranging the burial place of Jesus (19:39)
Reflection:
Is there a difference in your life before and now that you are a Christian?
Are we living a life that is acceptable to God?
Conclusion:
Jesus came as the light of the world, revealing God in his person and works, proclaiming God’s love and offering salvation to all who believe.
