Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18, NIV).
The Crucified One is to be the Judge of sinners. This is Good News indeed!
God’s judgment is not to be just an indictment because of sins committed. In fact, the real issue is not primarily the sin question but the Son question. Jesus said that whoever believes in him is not condemned.
What right has the Creator of a moral universe to act so? The answer is at the very heart of the gospel. God’s judgment on sin, his wrath against it, has already taken place! Christ, “who knew no sin,” has been made to be sin itself for us “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). “[O]ne has died for all; therefore all have died” (2 Corinthians 5:14, RSV).
God’s law, being a description of his own character, could neither be flouted or revoked. Its penalty had to be paid. But who would have thought that God himself would pay it? That’s why, now, the real issue is not primarily the sin question but the Son question (John 5:4).
God’s defining quality is love. And therefore it is written,
Herein is our love made perfect, that we [guilty sinners] may have boldness in the day of judgment (1 John 4:17, KJV). – Des Ford
Eli’s Reflection: When you think about the judgment, how do you view it? With joy and peace, or with uncertainty and fear? Your answer to this question will reveal whether you have understood the Gospel or not.
Courtesy of Good News Unlimited
