Not To Condemn

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (Joh 3:17 AV)

It’s that first part that we tend to forget.  At least when we are dealing with people regarding their soul’s need of a Savior.  The condemnation comes a few verses later.  It is when mankind does not go toward the light of God’s truth that condemnation follows.  It is only when they lost refuse God’s grace provided before the world began that God must then judge mankind for choices made.  Jesus did not come into the world to see how many He could condemn to hell.  He did not come into the world primarily for the purpose that most would be destroyed.  Contrary to the Calvinist’s belief, Jesus is a Savior of compassion.  Not condemnation.  Let this truth sink deep in the heart.   Jesus did not come into the world to send it to hell.  He came to save the world.  If they are condemned, it is in spite of the Savior’s deep desire.

Imagine a remote people were warned of a pending disaster.  They were warned that a dam was about to break and unless they vacated, they would be stranded.  The entire group ignored the warning, and the dam broke, stranding the group with no access to the outside world.  They were ok for a short time, but supplies ran out.  They had no food or fresh water.  There were no roads.  Not air strips.  No trains.  There was no way to float a raft to safety.  They were stranded.  Noticing their predicament, a serviceman parachuted into the village.  He clear cut a drop zone for supplies to land.  As they came in, the servicemen invited all to come and get what they needed.  No strings attached.  He could have used his situation to exploit this group, destroy them all, and call in air support to extract him to safety.  Rather, he had compassion on them.  Free food, medical supplies, clothes, and water.  Most rejected the offer and perished as a result.  Few took him up on the offer, lived and were eventually rescued.  Most would think those who refused the serviceman’s grace.  Yet many do the same with Jesus.

The God who created all things to glorify Him would be in His rights to destroy it all and start fresh.  He would be within His rights as Creator to do with what He made as He wished.  In His compassion, He came and dwelled among them.  He learned what it was like to be just like them.  Then He gave His life so that we could have eternal life.  Jesus did not come to see how many He could send to hell.  He came for just the opposite reason.  He came so that we might live!  That is the Savior we love, serve, and will see some day.