Once upon a time I adjusted my computer’s screen saver to scroll through Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As one whose inner critic tends to work overtime, that’s how badly I needed to be reminded of God’s affirming love. This verse conveys the heart of the Good News Jesus came to proclaim – that God has transformed the judgment we so fear into love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Lest we doubt this message of affirmation, Jesus makes it clear in the next sentence: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Why did Jesus need to clarify this matter? Was it because the leaders of Israel were spreading a different message, that God was not pleased, that people were in trouble? It would not be hard to draw such a conclusion living under the tyranny of the Romans, only the latest in a string of occupying empires. In a culture that saw prosperity as a sign of blessing and misfortune as an indication of sin, people might be quick to see in their circumstances God’s punishment for unfaithfulness. Thus the idea that God’s very own son should have arrived on the scene in person might feel like, “Uh oh, we’re in trouble now….” And so the importance of these words to soothe and open hearts:
“God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Jesus is not saying there is no condemnation anywhere – his next words suggest that is possible, even likely, for those who have been presented with the truth about Jesus Christ and chosen not to believe:
Jesus is not saying there is no condemnation anywhere – his next words suggest that is possible, even likely, for those who have been presented with the truth about Jesus Christ and chosen not to believe:
“Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
Is this “condemnation” a punishment – or is it simply the consequence of their choice? God may not have sent his Son into the world for condemnation – but he didn’t say he would remove the consequences of our choices. People are free to draw near to God’s love, or to turn away.
Are those who have no interest in Jesus’ salvation still covered by it? What do we mean when we say Jesus took on all the sin of all the world on the cross? Did he redeem even those who choose not to believe in his power to redeem, who deny any need of salvation? Those who believe in universal salvation would say so. Those who believe each person has to say “yes” are left wondering.
And all this “on the one hand,” “on the other hand” makes my head hurt. It gets in the way of my receiving the gift I believe Jesus is offering – to accept his grace, to allow him to take us off all the hooks we have ourselves dangling from: that we’re not good enough, smart enough, wise enough, compassionate enough.
Enough! The Son of God did not come into the world to condemn the world. The Son of God came to fulfill his father’s mission to reclaim, restore and renew all things and all people to wholeness in Christ. I’m taking that deal.
Is this “condemnation” a punishment – or is it simply the consequence of their choice? God may not have sent his Son into the world for condemnation – but he didn’t say he would remove the consequences of our choices. People are free to draw near to God’s love, or to turn away.
Are those who have no interest in Jesus’ salvation still covered by it? What do we mean when we say Jesus took on all the sin of all the world on the cross? Did he redeem even those who choose not to believe in his power to redeem, who deny any need of salvation? Those who believe in universal salvation would say so. Those who believe each person has to say “yes” are left wondering.
And all this “on the one hand,” “on the other hand” makes my head hurt. It gets in the way of my receiving the gift I believe Jesus is offering – to accept his grace, to allow him to take us off all the hooks we have ourselves dangling from: that we’re not good enough, smart enough, wise enough, compassionate enough.
Enough! The Son of God did not come into the world to condemn the world. The Son of God came to fulfill his father’s mission to reclaim, restore and renew all things and all people to wholeness in Christ. I’m taking that deal.
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