For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
This passage is both a blessing and distressing.
It is a joy and a blessing to know that God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him and to know that we are saved.
But it is so distressing and shocking to hear that anyone who does not believe is condemned. God is full of grace, of love and forgiveness of all. These two things are complete opposites. And it matters to me who loves someone who can't get his head around this Jesus and God thing.
It is hard when scripture contradicts and this is when I rely on my relationship with God who reassures and accepts and comforts, and then I'm reminded that we decrease God by trying to understand all about Him. He loves us all, that I know for sure.
Father we come to you striving to know more with our heads, teach us to rely more on our hearts. Amen
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