3:18
The key to escaping condemnation is belief in Jesus. Now the world thinks this is just a momentary belief, or a mere intellectual assent, but this is not so. It means trusting in Jesus, relying on Him.
The world also says it is unfair for God to send people to hell for not believing in Jesus, but this is not true. If a person does not believe he is condemned already. The whole human race is heading for hell because of what we have done, Jesus is the only escape route.
Note also that it says believe in the Name of God’s only son. The Name signifies the character of the person. Belief means believing in who Jesus really is.
3:19
This verse sums up the verdict. Light came into the world, but people preferred the darkness. Jesus shows up our sinfulness. The purity of Jesus includes above all else complete and unquestioning commitment to the Father. Just think how atheists object to having to obey God. They do not want to believe in Jesus. In fact all of us, even long standing Christians, need to take this carefully to heart. We are supposed to completely obey Jesus, we need to realise how much our human nature objects to doing this. Our old nature would rather live in the dark, then our sinfulness can remain hidden, or so we think.
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