Not by Works of Righteousness We have Done

John 3:16, He explained that God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, into the world out of His love for all mankind. His promise is that whoever believes in Him would not perish in judgment but would have everlasting life. Then (John 3:17-19), He declares that He (Jesus) did not come into the world to judge us, but rather to save us. All who believe will be saved (delivered from judgment), but those who reject Him will be judged. Their judgment is not for their sins, which Jesus Christ paid for, but for their rejection of Christ, who is the only way to eternal life. This was because to reject the light that Christ brought into the world, and love darkness instead, brought self-condemnation. In Jesus Christ are found the light that leads to God, the love that comes from God, and the life that is God’s life—eternal life.

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From Series: "The Simplicity of the Gospel"

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 All little children begin the learning process in life the same way. They learn by faith. Because they know that they don’t know, they are humble. They have never seen an elephant, or a whale, but if you show them a picture book, they learn to identify whatever they are shown. If they are told, “This is an elephant,” they don’t argue and say, “No, I think that is a chicken.” They believe what they are told because it is in their child-like nature to trust. Only as we grow do we begin to assume a level of knowledge, based on what we have learned by faith. As adults we turn more and more to reason (rationalism) and science (empiricism), where we learn by trial and error. Gradually, we begin to turn away from the faith we had as little children. Here, Jesus is telling His disciples that they need to “turn around, go back” to being like little children. They need to come to Him in simple, child-like faith if they would enter into His heavenly kingdom. The same point was made on another occasion (Mark 10:13–16). When we return to the simplicity of child-like faith, we come to Jesus through His Word in humility. And Peter, the leader of the disciple band, assures us “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5b). It is time for us to turn back to the simplicity and humility of little children and hear the voice of our heavenly Father!