God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:17, TLV

This is a perspective verse. Have we ever thought, “If you don’t believe in Jesus, then you’ll be condemned.”? The truth is, “You’re already condemned, but now Jesus was sent to the world . . .”

It might seem like quibbling, because the outcome is the same, but the semantics are very important. Here’s why.

The Pill

If we tell someone to take a pill, then they won’t die, they might take the pill out of fear. Perhaps later they might question, “Would I really have died?” There might always be that doubt. Their healing would have an element of doubt.

However, if we explain to a person that the reason they feel the way they do is that they are dying, and if they take this pill it will heal them, then they will accept with gratitude. Their healing would always be seen with gratitude because they understand and remember how sick they were.

I think we’ve forgotten how to explain that the reason the world is a mess is sin. Each person is responsible for the mess. Sin is the disease and we are the carriers. Yeshua is not a vaccination. He is the cure.

“Salvation” is not about living large — what some translate as abundant living — it is about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And the biggie, gratitude.

Please pray Psalm 122.