[Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "There is no judgment against anyone who believes in [God's Son]. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son."
—John 3:18 NLT
"There is no judgment" is used in this verse in the sense of "there is no condemnation." [1] As Christians, we don't fear a judgment against us because we live trusting God's love for us, and that love casts out all fear. [2] We don't face condemnation, only life. However, this glorious future is not based on our confidence in ourselves, but on our trust in Jesus' sacrifice to save us. When people reject Jesus, their lives are caught in the world of impending destruction. They have judged themselves by rejecting Jesus and refusing to trust in him. They have rejected the only source of lasting life in our world of destruction. The gift of Jesus is a watershed grace, and our acceptance or rejection of Jesus as our Savior and Lord means everything.
[1] Romans 8:1-2.
[2] cf. 1 John 4:18.
Glorious and righteous God, my Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of a glorious future with you. Thank you that I do not have to fear that future. As I expectantly wait for that future to unfold, please use me to influence others to commit to Jesus and to trust in him. Never let my life be a stumbling block to someone seeking the answers that only Jesus can give him or her. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—John 3:18 NLT
Key Thought
"There is no judgment" is used in this verse in the sense of "there is no condemnation." [1] As Christians, we don't fear a judgment against us because we live trusting God's love for us, and that love casts out all fear. [2] We don't face condemnation, only life. However, this glorious future is not based on our confidence in ourselves, but on our trust in Jesus' sacrifice to save us. When people reject Jesus, their lives are caught in the world of impending destruction. They have judged themselves by rejecting Jesus and refusing to trust in him. They have rejected the only source of lasting life in our world of destruction. The gift of Jesus is a watershed grace, and our acceptance or rejection of Jesus as our Savior and Lord means everything.
[1] Romans 8:1-2.
[2] cf. 1 John 4:18.
Today's Prayer
Glorious and righteous God, my Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of a glorious future with you. Thank you that I do not have to fear that future. As I expectantly wait for that future to unfold, please use me to influence others to commit to Jesus and to trust in him. Never let my life be a stumbling block to someone seeking the answers that only Jesus can give him or her. In the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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