Tuesday

Jesus Didn't Come To Condemn

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

When Jesus came into the world the fall of mankind had already taken place. Condemnation had already begun and multitudes had already met eternal justice. There had been laws, police, judges, prisons, and other forms of justice for thousands of years. Justice and judgment were well known in this world.

The wrath of God was also known in a myriad of ways. There was no human untouched by God’s wrath over sin. Did Jesus come to continue that work? Did He come to revolutionize police methods, make prisons stronger, put more judges on the bench? Did He come to drive out all sin and destroy all the rebellious? Is that why He was sent? This passage gives the concrete answer --no-- that is not why He was sent. He was not sent to reinforce human or divine justice. He was sent to answer justice on behalf of those already condemned by it.

For those who are just learning about Jesus it is imperative you know that truth about His mission. It is the basic reason for His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection. It is important you know this is still His work today. Seek to understand the Gospel.

If Christians don’t get this right then we are not what our name implies: Christ followers. Justice has its place and is necessary both in government and as an essential part of the gospel, but Justice is not the purpose of Jesus’ Church or His people when they are claiming to do His work. “That the world through him might be saved” is our purpose. Let’s get to work.

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