Let us Choose Love

John 3:16-18 (RSV): Let us Choose Love

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in Scripture, and many Christians use it as their mantra to salvation. It is a beautiful quote from the lips of Christ, and its message is, in many ways, a summation of the gospel. However, we must consider it in its context, specifically along with verses 17-18. And we must consider its audience, Nicodemus, a member of the Pharisees, who comes to seek Jesus’ wisdom under the cover of night.

As verses 17-18 connote, Jesus did come into the world through God’s love. Christ’s mission, therefore, is not one of condemnation; it is one of salvation. Why, then, in verse 18, does John mention that some are condemned? If we look carefully at the text, we discover that condemnation does not come from Christ but through people’s faithless rejection of him. When it comes to faith, however, many people are their own worst enemies, rejecting what they know is true for something that conforms to their own worldview. The Pharisees were no different.

Nicodemus, although a Pharisee, seeks the truth, even if it goes against his Pharisaic worldview. He seeks out Jesus and desires, in John 3, to learn about being born from above and receiving new life in Christ. And it is in John 19 that Nicodemus later accompanies Joseph of Arimathea to receive, prepare, and entomb the body of Jesus. Nicodemus’ open-mindedness toward Jesus leads him to the truth, God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 is a verse with impact, but we often neglect its complete message. Jesus came to save, not condemn. It is through our blindness, egotism, arrogance, hatred, and entitlement -- much like that of the Pharisees in Jesus’ time -- that we are condemned. As Frank Doyle writes, “It is not a loving God who condemns; rather [it is] people [who] choose to alienate themselves from his love” (“Living Space”). The question to ask, then, is what are we choosing -- love or alienation?

Heavenly Father, we pray for the grace to know, love, and imitate your Son in this world so that others are drawn into his light. Let us choose love. In Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

Have a blessed week!

Stan