Why do so many people believe that God hates them? It's clearly
indicated in the New Testament that, "God so loved the world". He didn't
say that He loves only the righteous or those who were solely devoted on
Him. Very simply, He loves the world so much that His only Son willingly
gave His life so that we had the opportunity to have "eternal life."
God is not after us to condemn us. He wants us to experience
eternity: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17 (NIV)
His
goal was not to condemn us, but to "save the world through" Jesus. Those
who condemn others are not from God, as God's focus is to save the
world.
Many, many years ago, when I was a brand new teacher, my
principal sent me to a workshop. A supply teacher was called in.
However, this substitute left home quite late and got lost on her way.
She finally arrived around 11:30 in the morning.
Just try to
imagine 25-30 kids between the ages of 12 and 13 alone in a class. Would
they wait patiently for their teacher? No way! Let's have fun! No one
can hear us! Naturally they started to throw spitballs. Next, books and
notebooks began to fly through the air. And these activities went on for
the two hours and a half.
At first the kids were all excited, but
within half an hour, some started to have headaches.
Once the
teacher arrived, the principal was made aware of the condition of the
class. He began yelling at my students for being irresponsible. He gave
serious consequences. In one word, he condemned them as being a bad
class.
Some parents did not agree. Wasn't the principal the one
who should have checked if someone with responsibility were taking care
of these students?
It is true that my class had made
irresponsible choices. Condemning them, however, did not help them to
become responsible.
Jesus' solution for this world is not to
condemn us. He could easily accuse us of our irresponsibility but he
never did. His goal was not to condemn, but to save. Never did he
condemn anyone other than the "religious" who thought they knew it all
and thought that they could save themselves by their own efforts.
Jesus loved genuinely. When Mary was condemned to stoning for being
unfaithful, Jesus said: "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned
you?" 'No one, sir,' she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus
declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:10-11 (NIV) Jesus
preferred to be accused Himself so that the accusers could find real
life: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16 (NIV)
Our Heavenly Father's goal is: "Their sins and
lawless acts I will remember no more." Hebrews 10:17 (NIV)
What is your decision: To accuse? Or to save
Rob Chaffart
