Jhn 3:18-21 (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Is it fair for someone to be condemned already for his or her unbelief?
In verses 20 and 21 I see the final test or conclusion to everything we have been discussing. Everyone that doeth evil is dead already. They are born of the flesh, live in the flesh, hates the light, and neither (will not) come to Christ. Why? They prefer ignorance and in the light their imperfections will be revealed. And why did Nicodemus and so many (religious and worldly) refuse the scriptures, because Gods word condemns the natural man. God word convicts us. God word demands the judgment that man deserves and the depravity he processes. On the other hand he that doeth truth cometh to the light. Why? “That all men through Him might be saved” (John 1:7), (2Cor 4:6). By His love we are convicted of our sins, trust solely on His mercy and grace, and are drawn near to Him (John 6:44). Notice also the tense, the believer, by the grace of God, continues to come to Christ where as the unbeliever is condemned already. Faith is not a one-time act for redemption but rather a continuous turning to God. Faith is not a cause in your salvation but instead a result of His finished work. And what purpose is there to come and dwell in the light. To glorify God, to learn of God and His blessed redeemer, to find comfort, strength, help, direction, rebuke, humility, hope, and knowledge of the exceedingly great and precious promise and gifts of the Word. (Psm 119:9-16)
