JOHN 3:16 -- The LIGHT of the World

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.

For GOD did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

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.

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.

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in GOD. (John 3:16-21, NKJV)

From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that GOD made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing GOD.

Yes, they knew GOD, but they wouldn't worship Him as GOD or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what GOD was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused.

Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. (Romans 1:20-22, NLT)

JESUS said, Believe in the Light while there is still time; then you will become children of the Light. (John 12:36, NLT)

CHRIST JESUS is The Light.

GOD The Son, through Whom all things were made, Who sustains the universe, Who holds our very lives in His hands -- was ridiculed, mocked, arrested and tied up; spat upon, struck on the face for telling the truth; stripped, flogged with a lead-tipped whip; forced to wear a crown of long, sharp thorns; hit by His captors with their fists; beat on the head with a stick -- with the crown of thorns on His head; unjustly accused, tried and found guilty without proof of any guilt; made to carry His cross, already much weakened after the loss of blood from the scourging...

crucified -- nails hammered into His flesh, through tendons and muscles and bones of His hands and feet...

JESUS was made to be sin for all the sins of humankind (past, present and future)... CHRIST, the Lamb of GOD... unblemished, sinless, perfect -- He was the necessary substitutionary Sacrifice who took upon Himself what was due us sinners. And as He hung on the cross, in indescribable agony -- GOD, The Father, unleashed upon JESUS His intense hatred for sin. Wave upon wave upon wave of The Father's ultimate wrath was poured out upon His own Son.

The Father and The Son, who have never been separated from time eternal, were divided -- separated by humanity's sin laid upon JESUS' perfect holiness.

Is it any wonder that JESUS asked His Father in Gethsemane, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will, not Mine." (Matthew 26:36) JESUS was indeed willing to suffer the excruciating torture on the cross, but to do so without the unfathomable spiritual agony of separation from The Father. (Commentary from Pastor Charles Stanley)

"Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? My GOD, My GOD, why have you forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) GOD, JESUS' Father -- Righteous and Holy -- turned His back on His Only Begotten Son.

JESUS' last words, "It is finished!" (John 19:30)

The sin-debt for your sins and mine have been paid -- in full -- by CHRIST's atoning death on the cross. His blood was literally shed for you and me. By His shed blood, you and i are redeemed... set free from the death penalty of sin.

Death -- physical and spiritual -- is the penalty of sin. Eternal separation from GOD... that place where there is not even a hint of any presence of the Light, but of utter darkness -- an eternal place of total depravity and utmost suffering -- that is the hellish sentence from which we have been set free.

What it cost The Father and The Son is unfathomable to us -- mere finite humans. Yet we don't have to fully understand the indescribable Infinite to be saved from sin's penalty of death. We just have to humbly admit that we are wretched sinners -- repent -- and receive the only Way of redemption -- the substitutionary death of CHRIST JESUS on the cross at Calvary.

Peace or continued enmity with GOD depends on our acceptance or rejection of His Son whom He sent to die for our sins. Believe in The Light -- JESUS, The CHRIST -- while there is still time (for tomorrow may not arrive); then you will become children of The Light (children of the One True GOD -- Creator of Heaven and Earth, Maker of all things seen and not seen).

The POOR In SPIRIT And The 7 Deadly SINS

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:3)

WRATH

Murderers, adulterers, thieves, whoremongers, prostitutes, liars, cheaters...all who have ever committed any of the seven deadly sins -- wrath, avarice, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony -- are all sinners. We are all sinners.

AVARICE

But all sinners who have come to the realization of their sinfulness, their utter worthlessness -- and have truly repented, have asked for forgiveness, and have received and trusted JESUS as their CHRIST and Savior -- are freely forgiven and set free from GOD's condemnation and wrath for their sins. They are assured peace with GOD -- and their rightful place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

This amazing grace from GOD anger those who protest, "What about the good and moral people who have not believed in JESUS CHRIST? How about Mahatma Gandhi...an icon of non-violence and goodness? Or the Dalai Lama of Tibet -- His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso? Will they go to Hell because they did not put their faith in JESUS -- did not believe that CHRIST is the Son of GOD, sent by Him to die for sinners?"
Gandhi, the Dalai Lama...and all those who seem righteous in the eyes of men (or in their own eyes) and believe that their righteousness is truly righteous in GOD's sight, do not realize that their righteousness are but filthy rags compared to GOD's blinding holiness. But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

SLOTH

Pride blinds a man to his true condition -- the condition of his heart -- that no matter the many good works he has done or the great accomplishments he has contributed to the "advancement" of mankind -- his good (or even great) works will not get him into Heaven. For who will judge man's good works to be good enough in GOD's sight? What is the standard for good works "good enough" to get into Heaven? Faith in GOD is the standard by which we will be judged by the giver of faith Himself -- GOD, Creator of Heaven and Earth...and Hell.

Jesus told them, "This is what GOD wants you to do: Believe in the One He has sent." (John 6:29) Without faith in Him, it is impossible to please GOD. (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is the substance, and it is a reality. GOD wants to bring us to the fact of it. He wants us to know that we have something greater than we can see or handle, because everything we can see and handle is going to pass away. (Smith Wigglesworth, Faith, p. 19)

Faith is believing in Love so great, so unfathomable, and so incomprehensible that a person who has committed the most heinous crime can be forgiven by GOD. Faith is standing firm on GOD's Word that the most religious, most upstanding person will not be forgiven for wilfully rejecting the Son whom GOD sent to die for all mankind -- whether a Mother Teresa or a man on death row, whether Jew or Gentile, man or woman, heterosexual or homosexual.

PRIDE

Moses killed a man, Rahab was a harlot, David committed adultery, Paul murdered many CHRISTians, Mary Magdalene had seven demons, the Treasurer of Ethiopia was a eunuch -- all divested themselves of pride and self-righteousness...all came to repentance...all were forgiven their sins. The Father, and all the angels in Heaven, are overjoyed for each repentant sinner, for each prodigal son (or daughter) who returns to GOD.

Peace with GOD does not come from faith in one's own goodness: "GOD will accept me for i've done many good works in His name. i have not committed adultery -- or killed or cheated or stole. i am a good provider for my family, i go to church, i tithe, i serve my community -- all my good works will get me into Heaven. i am good...i am righteous." (Matthew 18:10-14)

No one but GOD is good. No one but GOD is holy. No one but GOD is righteous.

When a person righteous in his own eyes stand before GOD in His blinding holiness, and the person's righteousness is put to the exceedingly piercing light of GOD's scrutiny -- will he outshine GOD's purity and holiness? Never.

LUST

In man's inner heart are sins not seen on the outside. But GOD who sees clearly to the innermost core of a man's soul sees all -- to the farthest nook and cranny of a man's heart -- his lusts, motives, self-aggrandisement, and pride.

Only by the shed blood of JESUS is one made righteous in GOD's sight. Covered by His blood, pure and holy -- GOD sees the righteousness of JESUS in the believer -- for CHRIST, by the indwelling Holy SPIRIT, is on the inside. He is the One GOD sees, the personal Advocate who will stand in front of the Judge on the Day of Judgment. He will say, "This person goes free. I have already paid his debt in full."
By faith, believers receive JESUS as their Savior and Advocate. By faith they stand boldly in front of Almighty GOD who sees all their dirtiest deeds -- past, present and future. And He judges the believers righteous because JESUS has imparted to them His righteousness... for our form of righteousness is but filthy rags and will not stand up to GOD's standard of holy righteousness, no matter the good works we've done.

i know i have no good thing in me. i know that whatever good that comes out of me is not my own doing, but of the SPIRIT who does the work of the Father through me. i know i am nothing but filthy rags without CHRIST.

ENVY

Pride in man is when he believes (despite all the evidence before his very eyes) that GOD does not have the power or intelligence to create man. Pride in man makes him believe that he is good enough to stand and be counted righteous in front of the most righteous and holy GOD. Pride in man is one who continues in his sin, knowing GOD hates sin.

GOD loves the sinner -- you and me. He sent JESUS to die for all sinners. (John 3:16)

GLUTTONY

But GOD hates sin...in every shape and form.

GOD hates pride...the pride that puts oneself above the Creator...pride that puts the student above the Teacher...pride that puts the servant above the Master.

GOD blesses those who recognize their bankruptcy of spirit. GOD blesses those who acknowledge that apart from the True Vine, they are nothing and can do nothing. GOD blesses those who come to Him broken and repentant, devoid of self-righteousness and pride.

Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What were his experiences concerning this question of being saved by faith? Was it because of his good deeds that GOD accepted him? If so, he would have had something to boast about. But from GOD's point of view Abraham had no basis at all for pride. For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed GOD, so GOD declared him to be righteous." (Romans 4:1-3)

The DO's and DON'Ts of BELIEVERs In CHRIST

The Torah has 613 Laws and Regulations for the Jews. There are 127 New Testament commands for the Believer, as compiled by Dr Harold Willmington (Willmington's Guide to the Bible, pp 878-879).

The Jews of old were under the 613 Mosaic Laws (the Torah), which represented an ethical code given by GOD to Israel to govern the nation until the coming of Messiah YESHUA. ALL Believers IN CHRIST today (whether Jews or Gentiles) are under GRACE...AMAZING GRACE...the UNearned, UNdeserved, UNmerited Favor of GOD.

JESUS said, Come to Me, ALL you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I AM gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find REST for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

JESUS summed up ALL the Law and Prophets, even the 127 Do's and Don'ts of Believers -- 'You shall LOVE The LORD your GOD with ALL your Heart, with ALL your Soul, with ALL your Strength, and with ALL your mind,' and 'your Neighbor as yourSELF.' (Luke 10:27)

The 127 DO's and DON'Ts of Believers IN CHRIST JESUS:

1. Abstain from all appearances of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

2. Abstain from all fleshly lusts. (1 Peter 2:11)

3. Avoid troublemakers. (Romans 16:17)

4. Avoid profane and vain babblings. (1 Timothy 6:20)

5. Avoid false science. (1 Timothy 6:20)

6. Avoid foolish questions. (Titus 3:9)

7. Avoid arguments about the law (Titus 3:9)

8. Be reconciled to a brother. (Matthew 5:24)

9. Be wise as serpents. (Matthew 10:16)

10. Be harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)

11. Be thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

12. Be patient toward all men. (1 Thess 5:14; 2 Timothy 2:24)

13. Be ready to give an answer of the hope that is in you.

(1 Peter 3:15)

14. Be transformed. (Romans 12:2)

15. Be patient in tribulation. (Romans 12:12)

16. Be children in (avoiding) malice. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

17. Be men in understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

18. Be steadfast. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

19. Be unmovable. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

20. Be always abounding in GOD's work. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

21. Be of one mind. (Romans 12:16)

22. Be separate from the unclean. (2 Corinthians 6:17)

23. Be angry and sin not. (Ephesians 4:26)

24. Be filled with The SPIRIT. (Ephesians 5:18)

25. Be anxious for NOthing. (Philippians 4:6)

26. Be an example to other believers. (1 Timothy 4:12)

27. Be gentle to all men. (2 Timothy 2:24)

28. Be ready to teach. (2 Timothy 2:24)

29. Be content with what you have. (Hebrews 13:5)

30. Be vigilant. (1 Peters 5:8)

31. Do not be like the hypocrites in prayer. (Matthew 6:5)

32. Do not be afraid of men. (Luke 12:4)

33. Do not be conformed to this world. (Romans 12:2)

34. Do not be children in understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

35. Do not be deceived by evil companions. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

36. Do not be unequally yoked by unbelievers. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

37. Do not be drunk with wine. (Ephesians 5:18)

38. Do not be weary in well-doing. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

39. Do not be slothful. (Hebrews 6:12)

40. Do not be influenced by strange doctrines. (Hebrews 13:9)

41. Beware of false prophets. (Matthew 7:15; Philippians 3:2)

42. Beware of evil men. (Matthew 10:17)

43. Beware of covetousness. (Luke 12:15)

44. Beware of backsliding. (2 Peter 3:17)

45. Do not bid false teachers GODspeed. (2 John 10, 11)

46. Bring up children in the LORD. (Ephesians 6:4)

47. Cast your cares upon GOD. (1 Peter 5:7)

48. Have confidence IN GOD. (Hebrews 10:35)

49. Come out from among the world. (2 Corinthians 6:17)

50. Count it JOY when you are tempted (tested). (James 1:2)

51. Treat others as you expect to be treated. (Matthew 7:12)

52. Desire the milk of the Word. (1 Peter 2:2)

53. DO ALL for GOD's GLORY. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23)

54. Do all things without murmuring or disputing. (Philippians 2:14)

55. Earnestly contend for the faith. (Jude 3)

56. Give no place to satan. (Ephesians 4:27)

57. Give thanks. (Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6)

58. Give time to reading. (1 Timothy 4:13)

59. Give no offence. (1 Corinthians 10:32)

60. Give freely. (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7)

61. Give as GOD has prospered. (1 Corinthians 16:2)

62. Give willingly. (2 Corinthians 8:12)

63. Give purposely. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

64. Do not grieve the Holy SPIRIT. (Ephesians 4:30)

65. Grow in GRACE. (2 Peter 3:18)

66. Have no fellowship in darkness. (Ephesians 5:11)

67. Have compassion. (Jude 23)

68. Have a good conscience. (1 Peter 3:16)

69. Hold forth the WORD of Life. (Philippians 2:16)

70. Hold fast sound words. (2 Timothy 1:13)

71. Honor fathers. (Ephesians 6:2)

72. Honor mothers. (Matthew 19:19)

73. Honor widows. (1 Timothy 5:3)

74. Honor rulers. (1 Peter 2:17)

75. Lay aside all envy. (1 Peter 2:1)

76. Lay aside all evil speaking. (1 Peter 2:1)

77. Do not lay up treasures on earth. (Matthew 6:19)

78. Let your light shine. (Matthew 5:16)

79. Let everyone deny himself. (Matthew 16:24)

80. Let him share with the needy. (Luke 3:11)

81. Let everyone obey civil laws. (Romans 13:1)

82. Let no man deceive himself. (1 Corinthians 3:18)

83. Let everyone examine himself at communion. (1 Cor 11:28)

84. Let your requests be made known to GOD. (Philippians 4:6)

85. Let your speech be with grace. (Colossians 4:6)

86. Do all things in decent order.

87. Let those who are taught support the teacher. (Galatians 6:6)

88. Let wives submit to their husbands. (Eph 5:22; Colossians 3:18)

89. Let husbands love their wives. (Ephesians 5:25)

90. Let wives reverence their husbands. (Ephesians 5:33)

91. Let everyone be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (James 1:19)

92. Let the afflicted pray. (James 5:13)

93. Let the adorning of women be more inward than outward.

(1 Peter 3:3, 4)

94. Don't let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. (Matthew 6:3)

95. Do not let sin reign in the body. (Romans 6:12)

96. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. (Ephesians 4:26)

97. Follow things that edify. (Romans 14:19)

98. Walk in The SPIRIT. (Galatians 5:25)

99. Do not provoke one another. (Galatians 5:26)

100. Do not be weary in well doing. (Galatians 6:9)

101. Come boldly to the throne of grace. (Hebrew 4:16; 10:19-23)

102. Do not forsake assembling together in worship. (Hebrews 10:25)

103. Exhort one another. (Hebrews 10:25)

104. Lay aside every weight. (Hebrews 12:1)

105. Run with patience the race before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

106. LOOK to JESUS. (Hebrews 12:2)

107. Offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD continually. (Hebrews 13:15)

108. Do not judge one another in doubtful things. (Romans 14:1)

109. Do not cause others to stumble. (Romans 14:13)

110. Mark troublemakers. (Romans 16:17; Philippians 3:17)

111. PRAY for your Persecutors. (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)

112. Pray for laborers. (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2)

113. Present your body to GOD. (Romans 12:1)

114. Put on the NEW man. (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10)

115. Put on the whole armor of GOD. (Ephesians 6:11, 13)

116. Do not quench the SPIRIT. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

117. Consider yourself DEAD to SIN. (Romans 6:11)

118. Redeem the time. (Ephesians 5:16)

119. Resist the devil. (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9)

120. Restore backsliders in meekness. (Galatians 6:1)

121. Strengthen feeble knees. (Hebrews 12:12)

122. Study to show yourself approved to GOD. (2 Timothy 2:15)

123. Take no anxious thought of tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34)

124. Take the LORD's supper. (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

125. Be careful not to despise little ones. (Matthew 18:10)

126. Be aware of yourself and your doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:16)

127. Withdraw from disorderly people. (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14)

Those not IN CHRIST, though they examine these sayings as written in the Bible, will not truly understand the depth, yet utter simplicity, of these teachings. One must have the INdwelling Presence of the SPIRIT of GOD in his Heart, for HE teaches the believer into ALL TRUTH regarding The WORD of GOD.

The Word of GOD is Living and POWERful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the Heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

If you've just read this and feel the SPIRIT of GOD speaking to your conscience -- stop and listen, for our FATHER in Heaven is drawing you to Himself, to His SON. JESUS CHRIST, even NOW, is knocking at the door of your Heart. THROUGH JESUS, you may have forgiveness of ALL your SINs and PEACE between you and GOD. By receiving CHRIST as LORD and Savior of your life, you are given the Holy SPIRIT, Who then imparts to you the RIGHTEOUSNESS and TRUTH of JESUS and emPOWERS you to do the above, one day at a time.

Then the priceless Wisdom of The WORD of GOD, the Bible, will be unlocked for you. JESUS Himself is the Key -- for HE is the TRUE Way to the Knowledge of GOD, to REGENERATION, and to the Door to ETERNAL Life!