"Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Saviour and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgement, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Saviour and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him].
John 3:18 The Amplified Study Bible
These are very strong words indeed and, should not be skimmed over. John 3:16-18, very clearly tells the reader the facts - if a person believes in Jesus Christ and accepts Him as Lord and Saviour, they are saved from all judgement and totally forgiven. However, those who do not believe, are condemned already - here on earth. The Moody Bible Commentary comments on this:
'Anyone who believes in Jesus is not judged or condemned in the future judgement. Anyone who does not believe, has been judged already, here and now. The future judgement confirms but does not determine one's eternal destiny.' David Guzik comments on FF Bruce, in his introduction to The Gospel of John:
“No explicit mention is made here of those who have never had the opportunity of believing in Christ, those on whom the light in its fullness has never shone. But John’s words probably unfold the principle of their judgment too. As the eternal Word came to men and women before becoming incarnate in Christ, so it is with the light of God. If men and women are judged by their response to the light, they are judged by their response to such light as is available to them.” (FF Bruce 1983)
In my opinion, I would say that this passage of scripture refers to the one's who constantly refuse to believe or accept Jesus as Lord. One cannot believe that God would allow people who have not heard about Jesus, to be condemned, judged and spend eternity in hell. He is too loving for that.
It does though, leave a big question mark on the future of those who have heard about Jesus and refuse to accept Him as Lord. A person must accept Jesus as Lord if they want to spend eternity with Him, because without Him, they will carry the full judgement of their sin. This must be done in their life time. Once a person has died is too late. If they die in their sin, there is only one place that they will end up and that is hell. The bible's teaching not mine.
God has given us every chance that we need to believe in Him and have our sins forgiven. Once our lives are over, there are no second chances. We need to repent now or it will be too late. Do not take the chance with where you will spend eternity. The choice is yours. If you wish to become a Christian, here is a prayer for you to pray:
'Lord Jesus, I recognise that I need You as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive my sins and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I ask You into my life now. Amen
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard.
Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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