about this curious explanation of condemnation in John's gospel

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In the scene of John when Nicodemus, the religious leader, came to meet with Jesus at night, in secret, is written, John 3

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Verse 16 is on most of those football signs behind the end zone. It's a great verse about
God who is love. Verse 17 is so hopeful, that he might save the world. From what though? Condemnation, in verse 18. So what does this condemnation look like? Hell? Nope. Rather, exposure and truth. Jesus is the light. We erect facades to hide behind, to maintain ignorance, to avoid shame, to defend our selfish actions.

However the light who is Jesus is not without mercy. I think the condemnation of light is intended to force us to acknowledge our selfishness and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Grace and truth is the narrow path. Law and prevarication is the broad path of destruction.


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