Scripture: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.” – John 3:14-21

“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.” – John 3:36 

Observation/Application:  
I believe that God sent His Son to save me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and three days later arose from the grave. I believe that Jesus is the light of the world. I believe that that light shines bright through me if I walk in God’s will.  Jesus did not come to condemn us and make us feel shame and regret. He came to save us, so we can feel the love of our Father in heaven. He came so we can feel peace.

I think so many people want to be in the light, but they feel so much shame of past regrets and actions that they hide in the darkness. That is exactly what the devil, our enemy, wants us to do. He wants us to hide in the darkness. It is unfortunate that some churches push so many people back to the darkness with their judgment and condemnation. It is not our job to judge others for their past. If God forgave them who are we to hold anything against them. They are children of God just as anyone who operates in the light is. We are called to make disciples not to sit on our own throne and judge people.

I have been guilty of judging others, but then I remember all the wrongs I have done. We only experience true peace and experience the light of the world through forgiveness. Jesus didn’t come to condemn us, so we need to lay to rest our condemnation. Today, I am not choosing condemnation, I am choosing love. I am choosing to show people what true peace is and that this cannot be found in the world of darkness.

True peace is only found in Christ. I choose to embrace those that are lost and tell them they are not alone. They have a Father in heaven that loves them and will never leave or forsake them. The devil wants us all to feel shame. Adam and Eve felt shame and hid from God. Don’t hide in the darkness. God is calling for you to erase that shame you feel. Jesus came to save, it is the devil who condemns.     

Prayer:  
Heavenly Father thank you for your word. Thank you for your unending love and mercy. I don’t want to hide in the darkness. I want to feel the peace and love that comes from Christ. Forgive me, God, for letting shame control my life and not submitting to your will. Holy Spirit lead me today. In Jesus’ name! Amen

Image courtesy of: UCFFool

Photo By UCFFool

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