The Word: John 3:19-21

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.“

These verses follow the most familiar passage in the Bible, John 3:16, which describes God’s love for mankind in general. However, what is often missed is how much the context of John 3 has to do with God’s judgment of mankind, as these verses make clear. John 3:16 is not a message that says that because of what Jesus did nobody is ever going to be judged by God; rather, it is only the truth that those who believe in the Son, Jesus Christ, are never going to be judged by God. Those who do not, however, will find themselves before the Father in judgment.

Yet, all the talk of judgment often makes people uncomfortable, even Christians. Although God is righteous and is going to justly judge unrepentant sinners, the concept of judgment is still uneasy to embrace at times. The primary cause for this uneasiness is the fact that despite Scripture’s clear testimony that all have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23) and are worthy of God’s righteous wrath, this truth is not embraced in its fullness. Therefore, the temptation to still be persuaded that everyone is “basically innocent” and “worthy” of going to heaven when they die is still ever-present in our minds. In other words, modern-day depictions of humanity as morally good control our thinking, especially regarding the topic of divine judgment.

However, this passage paints a different perspective about humanity apart from Christ that demonstrates that mankind is worthy of divine judgment. To understand the truth of this passage, two main points will be examined: 1) The reason for judgment and 2) The distinction between the judged and the saved.

1) The Reason for Judgment (John 3:19)

The passage says, “This is the judgment, that…” so the reason for judgment that was referred to in 3:17-18 is being explained at this point. Ultimately, the Father’s purpose in sending Jesus was not for judgment (3:17); after all, mankind already stood before Him condemned. The purpose of the Son’s coming was for salvation. This point does not, however, eliminate the reality of judgment which is now being set forth. Why is there still going to be a judgment despite the Son’s coming for salvation? The reason: “the Light has come into the darkness, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”

The judgment is coming because the Light that brought salvation from judgment was rejected. To what does “the Light” refer? The immedate context and the earlier truths in John 1 (especially 1:6-14) are abundantly clear that the Light is Jesus Himself and all that He is. John 1:1-18 states that Jesus is God, truth, life, and salvation to all who receive Him. The problem that is presented in this passage is that Jesus came to bring truth, life, and salvation to mankind which was dominated by lies, death, and sin. Sadly, despite the Light of Jesus shining in the world, many who see His light do not embrace Him, because they love the lies, death, and sin that they are walking in. The love for darkness is explained by their living in darkness: “for their deeds were evil.” This point is made more clear in the distinction that is made between those who will be judged and those who will not be in 3:20-21.

2) The Distinction Between the Judged and Saved (John 3:20-21)

The explanation of the previous point continues, “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” (3:20) A universal truth statement (“everyone“) is being made here; an objective truth about those who will be judged is clear: Whoever “does” (describing an on-going action or way of life) evil hates the Light, hates Jesus Himself. Sin is contrary to God’s nature, character, and will and those who live lives of unrepentant sin are living contrary to Him. Therefore, to live in sin is to hate and reject Christ, who came to save mankind from sin (Matthew 1:21).

Continuing, John 3:20 reveals that those who are living in sin reject Jesus Christ because of the confrontation that comes with facing His glory and goodness. Jesus is Light; mankind apart from Him is darkness (Ephesians 5:8), and to face Him means that people must recognize their terrible and shameful condition. As the eyes cower and hide after a sudden light appears after a great time in darkness, so mankind cowers and hides from Christ when He exposes their beloved sins and sinfulness. The Light of Christ exposes and humbles sinners because they find themselves having to admit what they are: evil-doing darkness lovers. Yet, this humble confession can easily be avoided by rejecting the Light and seeking to get rid of its presence, which is precisely what sinful mankind intended to do through the cross and continues to do in various ways today.

On the other hand, John 3:21 provides a completely contrary description of those who are saved, i.e. believers. “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” Believers are recognized by their way of life in the truth, rather than evil as the judged. The practice of truth is characterized by the righteousness of Jesus Himself which is “manifested” to those who walk with Him (see John 15:1-17). Ultimately, the result is that those who walk in the Truth and Light of Christ reveal the work of God in their lives: “so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” What they do does not point to themselves, but rather the effects of Jesus on their lives.

To sum up, judgment is coming and this judgment is based on how one responds to the Light which is Jesus. Those who reject Christ will be judged; those who come to Him will be saved.

The Confrontation

First, as Christians, we must not be ashamed of the truth of God’s judgment of unrepentant sinners. This point does not mean, however, that we have to be sadistically excited about people undergoing God’s eternal righteous wrath. What we must be mindful of is whether our understanding and discussion of God’s judgment is somehow approached as if this truth were a blemish on God’s nature and character. Many times we are attempted to act as though speaking truthfully of Divine judgment is embarrassing for God and us. God’s Word makes abundantly clear that He is not ashamed of His holiness and righteousness, which is often displayed in His judgment of unrepentant sinners without discrimination. In other words, God is not ashamed of who He is (Why would He be?), so it is shameful for us to be ashamed of who He is: the God of just judgment.

Second, the true condition of mankind apart from Christ must be fully embraced and proclaimed by the Church. This passage is clear that mankind apart from Christ is characterized by darkness which is revealed through sin and evil-doing. This is how God views all mankind without Christ. Therefore, there are no “innocent,” “basically good” people in existence. The irony of many who seek to justify their rejection of God because they are a “good moral person” is that they reveal their greatest sin: pride. What is more wicked and prideful than looking at the One who has given you existence and saying, “I can exist on my own just fine without You, thanks!” The absurdity and arrogance of this mentality is seen in the little child who thinks they can sustain themselves without their parents, forgetting that without them he/she has no home, food, protection, love, and so on.

Third, our lives as Christians should be continually bearing the fruit of Christ’s Light in us. If we are walking in the truth, then our lives are continually being changed by the truth (John 17:17). The result of coming to Christ and walking in His word should be seen in an evident departure from ongoing, unrepentant sin, evil, and darkness in our lives. Through Christ, we have been given new, eternal life (John 3:16) which will be characterized by practicing the truth and walking in the Light. Through this way of life, we can be an effective testimony to a world of darkness of the glory and goodness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.