WHO DO YOU SAY THAT HE IS?

PROCLAMATION

“ ‘But what about you?’ He asked.  ‘Who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are The Messiah, The Son of The Living God.’  Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for that was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.’ ”   Matthew 16:15-17 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle Matthew.  The Pharisees and the Sadducees came to Jesus to test Him by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.  Jesus refused to give them a sign and left them. (Matthew 16:4)  He warned His disciples to guard against the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. (Matthew 16:5-12)  Then He asked His disciples, “Whom do men say that I The Son of Man am?”  After they had given Him various answers, He then asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15)  Peter said, “Thou art The Christ, The Son of The Living God. (Matthew 16:16) 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, knows who He is, and He is not seeking our validation of His existence.  It is not important to us who others think that He is.  All that matters for each of us individually is, with respect to our salvation, who is He to us.  We must believe and confess that He is who He says that He is. (John 10:36-38)  If we confess and believe, we will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw The Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.  And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”  Matthew 42:16-17 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew.  In the days after King Herod died, there came a man, John the baptizer, preaching in the wilderness preparing the way for Jesus, The Christ. (Matthew 3:1-3)  People from all of Judea came to him, confessing their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:4-6)  He made it clear to them that he was only baptizing them with water for their repentance, but there would come another who was mightier than he, who would baptize them with The Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)  Jesus, The Christ, came from Galilee to be baptized by John.  After He was baptized, as He was coming up out of the water, John saw The Holy Spirit of God descending from heaven like a dove and lighting on Him.  Then a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)  

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, was sinless.  He was not baptized for repentance, but He was baptized because it was appropriate to do it to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)  God, The Father, spoke and identified God, The Son, by sending God, The Holy Spirit, to Him as a visible sign.  Today we use the ordinance of baptism as an outwardly visible sign of an inner transformation.  We die to the control of sin and rise up as a new creature. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  When we accept Christ as our personal savior The Holy Spirit of God indwells us. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)  This gives us the capacity to keep His commandments.  All we have to do is believe, confess, and invite Him into our heart, and He will come into us. (Revelation 3:20)

THE EARTHLY GENEALOGY OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“… David reigned in Jerusalem thirty-three years, and these were the children born to him there: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon.  These four were by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.”  1 Chronicles 3:4-5 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

The earthly genealogy of Jesus, The Christ, is best outlined in the gospel according to Matthew. (Matthew 1:1-17)  The first nine chapters of First Chronicles presents the genealogies of the men among God’s chosen people as mentioned in the early Books of The Bible.  The first chapter of Chronicles records the names of the men in the first eight chapters of the Book of Genesis.  It begins with Adam and ends with the sons of Esau, the son of Isaac, son of Abraham.   The second chapter begins with the genealogy of Jacob (Israel) and ends with David.  The third chapter records the family of David including his sons which were not mentioned in the Books of Samuel or Kings.  King David had six sons born to him in Hebron, (1 Chronicles 3:1-4) plus four sons by Bathsheba, (1 Chronicles 3:5) and nine more sons not counting the sons by his concubines. (1 Chronicles 3:6-9)  Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, The Christ, traced her ancestry through Nathan.  This is why He is referred to as “The Son of David”. (Matthew 1:1 and 21:9, and Romans 1:3)  The fourth chapter presents the posterity of Judah through Caleb and Shelah and the tribe of Simeon.  The fifth chapter presents the men of the tribe of Reuben, and the sixth chapter presented the tribe of Levi.  The seventh chapter presents the genealogies of the tribes of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher during the period of Assyrian captivity.  The eighth chapter records the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin with an emphasis on the heads of families including the lineages of Saul and Jonathan.   The ninth chapter has an emphasis on the tribe of Levi and their roles in the church.

APPLICATION

The genealogy of mankind today goes back to Noah and the great flood.  Most of us cannot trace our ancestry back past our great grandparents, much less back to Noah.  However, we are all linked to the first Adam and are sinners as he was. (Romans 3:23)  Those of us who believe have been saved by the grace of God through Christ Jesus. (John 3:16 and Romans 3:24-25)  As believers, our past may be unclear and sinful, but our future is clearly linked to eternal life with our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 25:46, John 10:28, Roman 6:23, Titus 3:7, and 1 John 5:13) 

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU

Proclamation:

“Jesus and His disciples went on to the villages around Cesarea Philippi.  On the way He asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’  They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’  ‘But what about you?’ He asked.  ‘Who do you say I am?’  Peter answered, ‘You are The Messiah.’”  Mark 8:27-29 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Mark.  This is part of the gospel as he received it from the apostle Peter.  Mark begins this chapter by recounting the events related to Jesus, The Christ, and His feeding of the four thousand people. (Mark 8:1-13)  Afterwards, Jesus questioned His disciples regarding what they had just witnessed, and what they had previously witnessed. (Mark 8:14-21)  After He healed the blind man in Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26) Jesus asked His disciples who do the people say that He is, and who do they say that He is.  Peter said, “Thou art The Christ, The Son of the living God.”  Jesus responded to Peter by saying that flesh and blood did not reveal that to him.  His answer was revealed to him from heaven by God, The Father. (Matthew 16:16-17) 

Application:

People have said all kinds of things about Jesus, The Christ, and who He is, and how He does the things that He did.  There are those people who deny His very existence.  Even today, some people have said that He was just a man; others have said that He was a good man; and still others have said that He was a prophet.  However, who the people say that He is does not change who He really is.  The most important question is: “Who is Jesus to you?”  Your answer to that question will speak volumes regarding your relationship with Him, and will identify where you will spend eternity.

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD

Proclamation:

“The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of The Most High will overshadow you.  So The Holy One to be born will be called The Son of God.’”  Luke 1:35 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent travelling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Each of the three synoptic gospels was written to a specific audience and presented Christ in a manner which would best appeal to that audience.  The gospel of Luke was written to the Greeks and presented Christ as the perfect man.  Luke began by giving his reason for writing the account of the life of Jesus, The Christ, in light of the fact that others had already written their accounts. (Luke 1:1-4)  Then he presents the events surrounding the prediction of the birth of John, the baptizer, (Luke 1:5-25) and the prediction of birth of Jesus, The Christ. (Luke 1:26-45)  He then presents Mary’s thoughts on the events. (Luke 1:46-56)  He later recounts the birth of John, the baptizer, (Luke 1:57-66) and the reactions of his father Zachariah. (Luke 1:67-80)

Application:

Mary questioned the angel (Luke 1:34) after he told her that she was going to conceive and bare a son (Luke 1:31) but she accepted his explanation and consented. (Luke 1:38)  Her response was “I am The Lord’s servant” and “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  This should be our response to the work which The Lord God has for us.  We should respond like the prophet Isaiah did when he said, “Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)  As believers we know that The Holy Spirit of God dwells within us. (Ezekiel 36:27)  We should take heed to what He says and follow His direction.  We know who Christ is and if we truly love Him then we should obey His Word. (John 14:15, 14:21 and 15:10)  

GOD SPOKE TO US THROUGH THE PROPHETS THEN THROUGH HIS SON AND NOW THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD

Proclamation:

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at various times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.”  Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by an unknown human author to the Hebrew believers, and indirectly to all believers.  The Bible Book of Hebrews begins with two assumptions.  The first is that there is a God, and the second is that God speaks to His people.  God spoke to His people through the prophets. (Hebrews 1:1)  Later, He spoke to His people through His Son, Jesus, The Christ. (Hebrews 1:2)  Now He speaks to us through The Holy Bible.  For most of this first chapter, the author provides evidence that Jesus, The Christ, is superior to the angels (Hebrews 1:5-14) by quoting Old Testament scriptures. (Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:12-14, Psalm 97:7, Psalm 104:4, Psalm 102:25-27, and Psalm 110:1)

Application:

This epistle provides Biblical evidence that Jesus, The Christ, is the Son of God.  By His spoken word He is the creator and sustainer of all things. (Hebrews 1:3)  Before Christ came to earth, God provided guidance to His people through His chosen prophets, from Moses to Malachi. Then He spoke through Jesus, The Christ, who spent most of His earthly ministry teaching.  After He had finished the redemptive work on the cross to save our souls and pay for our sins, Christ returned to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, The Father. (Hebrews 1:3)  Now, God speaks to us through His Holy Bible.  If we want to know what “thus sayeth The Lord,” we need to read and study The Word of God.  The guidance and direction we need is contained therein.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE CHRIST FORETOLD

Proclamation:

“… God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you … You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called The Son of The Most High’ ... ‘How will this be, Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’  The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of The Most High will overshadow you.  So The Holy One to be born will be called The Son of God.’”  Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were recorded under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Luke, the physician and frequent traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.  Luke’s account of the birth of Christ had been passed down to him by those who were the eyewitnesses to the events. (Luke 1:1-4)

Application:

This is what came to pass before and with the birth of Christ. (Luke 2:11)  This is what we are commemorating as we celebrate Christmas.  For a more complete account of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, one must read Matthew 1:18 to 2:21 and Luke 1:26 to 2:40.  The holiday which we call Christmas is a holy day and it means so much more to us than what most of the world celebrates.  Let us, as believers, celebrate the real reason for Christmas and let's share the real story behind the celebration.  For God was, and is, and will always be with us.  All hail Immanuel!!!

JESUS IS GOD

Proclamation:

"In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God." John 1:1

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle John, the youngest of the twelve disciples and the one who refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23)  The Book of The Bible entitled “John”, or “The Gospel According to John”, was written to believers so that they would know that Jesus is God. (John 20:31)  Here John states that in the beginning of everything was The Word.  The Word was there at the beginning with God, and in fact he states that The Word was God.  To make sure that the people understood that he was referring to Jesus, he later said that The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)  This verse refers to The Son of God and His human birth via the virgin Mary.  Some Bible scholars believe that The Son of God is called “The Word” because we use our words explain our minds to others and He was sent to us to reveal the mind of God, The Father, to the world.

Application:

God is.  He exists, He is real, and He is alive.  God was, God is, and God always will be.  He existed before time began and He will exist after time ends.  He created time. (Genesis 1:14)  Everything that was made He created by speaking it into existence. (Genesis 1:3 and John 1:3)  Jesus was there with God at the very beginning.  “The Word” refers to Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God.  Jesus is God.  "For there are three that bear witness in heaven, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Ghost; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7)  Jesus said, “I and My Father are one.” (Matthew 10:30)  There exists God, The Father, The Word of God, and The Spirit of God, three attributes of one God.  As human beings we have only a limited capacity for understanding and some things about God we just don’t understand.  However, we are blessed for believing without seeing for ourselves. (John 20:29)  Jesus is God.  The Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it!

The Birth Of Jesus The Christ

"... And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn."  Luke 2:7 (NIV)

This account of the birth of Jesus, The Christ, was recorded by Luke, the physician and frequent travelling companion of the Apostle Paul.  The virgin Mary, who was engaged to Joseph,
 conceived the child with the aid of The Holy Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18)  This was predicted some four hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah and recorded in the Holy Scriptures. (Isaiah 7:14)  She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, as was the Jewish custom in that time.  She placed Him in a manger, which was an animal feeding trough.  They were in the animal shelter because the town of Bethlehem was crowed with people coming to pay their taxes, as decreed by Cesar Augustus, (Luke 2:1-3), and there was no room for them in any of the guest quarters.    

The Holy Spirit of God came upon the virgin Mary and she conceived as the angel Gabriel told her. (Luke 1:26-35)  Although He was with God in heaven before the beginning of time, (John 1:1), Jesus, The Son of God, left heaven, and put on human flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)  His birth was part of the divine plan for the redemption of man.  He humbled Himself, took on the form of man, lived a sin-free life, and was obedient even unto His death on the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)  He was born in order to be the sacrificial lamb for the sins of man. (John 1:29)  We all should thank God for the birth of Christ, without which our salvation would not be possible. (2 Corinthians 9:15 and John 14:6)

From Him Who Sent Me

"Jesus answered, 'My teaching is not My own.  It comes from Him who sent Me."  John 7:16  (NIV)

The Apostle John, who addressed the gospel to all believers so that they would know that Jesus is God, here records the words of Christ when He was teaching in the temple during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles.  Jesus was answering a question by one of the non-believing Jews who wanted to know how Jesus knew so much about the scriptures without going to school and receiving formal training.  His answer was that what He taught came from God, The Father, who sent Him.

Jesus said that the man who speaks his own thoughts "... does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth..." (John 7:18)  He was not putting forth His own thoughts, ideas, and opinions to call attention to Himself.  Whatever He said and taught came from our Heavenly Father.  Jesus did not come to earth to seek glory and honor for Himself, He came give glory and honor to God, The Father.  The lesson that we can learn from the example which Jesus demonstrated is that we are not to seek to gain honor for ourselves.  We are to speak, act, and live in such a way as to give glory and honor to God.  We can deliver the message that God told us to spread throughout the world by the way we live. (Matthew 28:20)  We can "teach" by example by letting the world see us living a good Christian life, exhibiting good Christian behavior, and hearing us engaged in good Christian conversation.  We may be the only "Bible" that some people "read" or hear.  Remember, "It's not about us, it's all about Jesus." (Unknown)

Once Enlightened Always Enlightened

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in The Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of The Word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying The Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace." Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV)

The unknown author of the Bible Book of Hebrews made it clear that once a person was saved, they would always be saved.  Their future sins would not cause them to lose their salvation.  Only by willfully renouncing Jesus Christ could they ever be lost, and from that loss there could be no return. 

Once we are held in the palm of His hand, we can never be plucked out.  It is possible to be exposed to the gospel and walk among Christians for a while and not be saved. (Matthew 13:3-24)   Jesus said, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62) A number of people followed Jesus because of what He could do for them, not because they believed in Him.  Those people were not saved.  Once saved, always saved.  We may lose out on some rewards and miss out on some blessings by our behavior, but we can never lose our salvation.

Don't Believe and Follow Every Spirit

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize The Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." 1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)

The Apostle John warns the Christians not to believe every spirit that they hear because there are evil spirits in the world. He even offers the Christians a means to test the spirits that they hear based upon the willingness of the spirit to acknowledge that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God. The spirits that will not acknowledge Jesus are evil spirits of the antichrist.

We should not believe everything that we hear. Every spirit that we hear is not The Holy Spirit, and every person that speaks to us is not a messenger from God. We should also use the above test on every spirit that we hear. If what we hear from people is not consistent with what the Bible says, then we ought to disregard it. We need to read and study the Bible so that we can rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Do You Know Who Jesus The Christ Really Is?

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of The Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father'? Or again, 'I will be His Father, and He will be My Son'? 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, 'Let all God's angels worship Him.' In speaking of the angels He says, 'He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.' 8 But about The Son He says, 'Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has set You above Your companions by anointing You with the oil of joy." He also says, 'In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.' To which of the angels did God ever say, 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet'? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" Hebrews 1:1-14 (NIV)

This unknown author of the Books of Hebrews provides a brief description of who Jesus The Christ really is. While the description is not comprehensive, complete, or exhaustive, it presents His relationship to God, His involvement in the creation of the universe, the power of His word, His purification of our sins, His position in heaven, His relationship to the angels, His love of righteousness, His hatred of wickedness, and His eternal nature.

No one knows all about Jesus The Christ. The little that we know is that which is revealed to us in His Holy Word. However, if you do not know Him, or if you want a brief description of exactly who He is, then you should read chapter one of the Book of Hebrews. It briefly describes His relationship to God, to us, to the angles, and His involvement in the creation and maintenance of the universe. What an awesome God we serve.

Who Do You Say That Jesus Is?

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are The Christ, The Son of The Living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven." Matthew 16:15-17 (NIV)

After Jesus asked His disciples who the people say that He is, then He asked them who do you say that I am? Peter gave the correct answer, "You are The Christ, The Son of The Living God." Only someone who has been saved can give this answer to that question. Only God can reveal that to you.

Who do you say that Jesus is? I have heard some people say that Jesus was just a good man. Others have said that He was a prophet, just like Muhammad and all of the others. However, like Peter, I know that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of The Living God. This statement is a confession of faith by a regenerated heart, that has been saved by the grace of God. The most important question that each of us will have to answer for ourselves is, who do you say that Jesus is? The outcome of our lives depends upon our answer to that question.

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus And You Won't Sink

"During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's You," Peter replied, "tell me to come to You on the water." "Come," He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?" And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are The Son of God." Matthew 14:25-33 (NIV)

Not only did Jesus walk on water, He had the power to allow Peter to walk on the water. Peter was doing fine looking toward Jesus, but when he took his eyes off of The Lord he began to sink. As he was sinking he prayed a powerful short prayer, "Lord save me!" Jesus heard him and immediately caught him. All those who saw what had happened worshipped Jesus saying, "Truly You are The Son of God."

Jesus has the power to grant us what we ask for. As long as we keep our focus on Him, by His power we can do what others think is impossible. Our problems begin when we take our eyes off of Him and focus on what is going on around us. That is when we start to sink into sin. Our God is bigger and more powerful than our problems. There is no need for us to ever doubt Him. We just need to have faith, pray, and keep our focus on The Lord, and He will get us through whatever it is that we are facing.

Celebrating The Birth Of Christ

"Therefore The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and give birth to a Son and will call Him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

The birth of Christ was predicted by the prophet Isaiah more than 400 years before it happened. Isaiah also went on to elaborate on Immanuel by describing Him. It is because of the fulfillment of this prophecy that we celebrate the birth of Christ.

A study of the celebration of "Christmas" reveals that the pagans had celebrations during the same time of the year with decorated trees, and lights, and feasts, hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. Their celebration then had nothing to do with Christ just as today the commercialization of Christmas is not about Christ.

Know what you are celebrating and why. Learn about the conception and birth of Christ (Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:21) and tell someone about it. As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Christ because of who He is. Let's keep Christ in "CHRISTmas" and show the world
the Christ that is within us.

Condemned And Exposed Can Be Forgiven

"For God did not sent His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates The Light, and will not come into The Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." John 3:17-20 (NIV)

God does not condemn us, we condemn ourselves by what we do, what we say, and what we believe. Most of us who sin and do wrong or evil, do not want our deeds made public knowledge. Jesus, The Light of the world (John 8:12 & 9:5), just exposes us for who we really are. We need to repent and turn from our wicked ways.

"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14