John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
God didn't send his Son to condemn, but you're condemned?
What if John 3:16 is God & Son Limited: Law (on high)?
What if John 3:17 is God & Son Unlimited: Grace (higher)?
Remembering John is the only "verily verily" gospel account.
What if John 3:17 is allegorized...which things are allegory:
God did not send his Son to condemn(law) the world,
but that the world through him might be saved(graced)?
2007-12-03 03:57:04 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why should YOU be granted eterenal life if YOU will not accept Jesus Christ as YOUR Lord and Savior?! God does NOT want rebellious attitudes within His Kingdom. Lucifer was proof of that when he tried to take the Throne of God, was defeated and cast down to earth. The message of Jesus Christ is quite clear.
It is through the resurrection to eternal life that God transforms us into glorified and immortal beings, as God Himself is. As 1 John 3:2 tells us, "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
God is in the process of creating His own family. He will give humans eternal life, which we will share with Him for eternity. He desires to share His eternal existence with others in a way of life of love toward others. Because of His love, God brought the universe into existence in the first place. It is because of God's love that He gave us a part in it. Life is the result of God's love and His desire to share His love with His immortal family for eternity.
Because God created life, He has the authority to take and restore life. He has the power to provide the opportunity for salvation in an age yet to come.
After Jesus Christ returns, He will expand the process of offering salvation to all mankind. Everyone who lives during the 1,000 years immediately after He returns will receive the opportunity to accept the gift of eternal life available through Christ.
At the end of the Millennium will come a physical resurrection of all who did not receive the calling to salvation during their lifetimes. Then they, too, will have the opportunity to receive that gift of eternal life and be judged by their righteous works. However, God will mercifully destroy those who choose to defy Him, knowingly refusing to accept Jesus Christ's sacrifice and follow God's way of life.
2007-12-03 04:26:24 · answer #1 · answered by TIAT 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If these verses are not to be taken literally, then there was no reason for the Son of God to come to this earth and die on the Cross for us. If they are only symbolic, then there is no real salvation, and we are still in our sins.
The world was already condemned when Jesus entered it. Every time someone broke the Law, he was under the penalty of sin, which is death. Since Jesus was both God and sinless human being, He was the only One Who could judge other people fairly. He could have said, "You're all guilty, but I don't choose to do anything about it." That decision would have condemned us to death, both spiritually and physically.
But instead of our judge, He came as our loving and merciful Redeemer. Redemption is available to all those who come to Him, and it is not limited in any way other than by our own belief or disbelief. When Jesus became our Pascal Lamb, He fulfilled the Law's requirements literally and spiritually.
There is nothing allegorical about those passages. They mean exactly what they say: the Righteous Son of God chose to be our Savior, not our Judge.
2007-12-03 04:10:19 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are already condemned according to God's Moral Law & Holiness. This is the reason Adam & Eve were kicked out of the garden. This is the reason the promise of the Messiah was given.
This is the reason the entire Mosaic Law with the sacrifices was an object lesson in man's sinfulness and need to make things right with God.
Jesus was that way to God. So He came to save, whereas man was already condemned to Wrath of God.
2007-12-03 04:03:42 · answer #3 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Jesus does not condemn the unbeliever. The unbeliever condemns himself. Plain and straight forward with no interpretation needed.
2007-12-03 04:07:09 · answer #4 · answered by deacon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was talking to the Pharases at this time- they were given the words and the law of God, but abused them. They were condemned because of their attitudes.
Consider the parable of the prodigal son shall we?
Start from the very begining- one lost sheep, 99 in the fold right? Then we have the widow, who finds her lost coin. Next, we have the Son- then the story takes an interesting twist!
Notice the numbers go from 1%, to 10%, to 50%- and finally, to 100% when the Eldest Son disobeyed the Father!
The Prodigal Son isn't about the younger Son- its about the Elder Son/Pharases refusing to obey the Father!
2007-12-03 04:03:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple - Everyone was condemned prior to the advent of Christ. Those who believed after He came are not condemned. Those who reject Him are. This applies to all men since the advent of Christ.
Prior to that Christ appeared in what are called Theophanies or appearances of God or Christ in other forms such as angels or men. God's salvation was offered then as it is now.
The problem is that some would rather live in sin and follow their limited reasoning and opinion than accept the Word of God as truth. Those people choose thier own condemnation through the free will God gave them.
2007-12-03 04:04:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you're based on your very own understanding incredibly of Gods', and can't understand the word of God without revelation from the Holy Spirit ( see Proverbs 3:5 and a million Corinthians 2:14 ). in case you're no longer born lower back, then that's step one you ought to take to correctly known the bible. in case you're born lower back, you are able to no longer lean on your understanding, yet spend time meditating on the word, till the holy Spirit delivers the understanding. Romans 10:9-10 is a thank you to be born lower back.
2016-10-18 23:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On thing to remember is that of the four official Gospels, John was written last of all and has less connection to the Synoptic Gospels. Synoptic meaning "Seen Together" since they tell similar stories with relatively minor differences. John is not considered one of the Synoptic since its story is so very different. John is considered the least _historically accurate_ of the four. The Gospel of John is more about sending a message than relating events (and then giving meaning to those events).
Looking at each of the four Gospels in light of their times of authorship, one can see the evolution of Christian thought. Mark as the first written highlights the view of the Judaic Christians. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels with fewest embellishments. It seems to be based upon the earliest sources. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke were independently based upon Mark as well as another Gospel which has been lost to history (often referred to as "Q").
The Jesus of Mark is perhaps closer to the Isa of the Koran than the Jesus of John. In Mark, Jesus does miracles, but urges people to tell no one. In John, Jesus shouts his miracles to the countryside.
John reflects the Christianity on the eve of the second century, so different than that taught by the original Apostles.
2007-12-03 04:21:37 · answer #8 · answered by Donald J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at this verse:
John 14:6-7 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
The choice to be condemmed or not lies with YOU!
God won't force you to believe.
The Bible says that Jesus IS the only way to salvation.
Anyone can come to know the Salvation that Jesus offers. But if yu reject it-0nly YOU have yourself to blame for being condemmed. Choose NOW, while there is still time.
You don't get a second chance!
2007-12-03 04:04:31 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure I see your question unless it is that you think there's a contradiction here, but there's not. Jesus' mission was not to condemn the world, but by refusing him into the leadship of your life you are condemning yourself. Do not read anything smooth like this passage as being alagory or part alagory. It's plain and simple.
2007-12-03 04:06:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Where is your faith?
2007-12-03 04:03:07 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋