I didn’t take it as argumentative.

You are right that the verses need to be understood in context.

And to be honest, I have not ever done a serious study of the Gospel of John, so you could probably help me just as much as I might be able to help you.

I believe that Jim Reitman has done some good study of John recently. You could ask him… Check out this link as an example:

http://justsoyouallknow.blogspot.com/2009/10/john-316-3-d-gospel-for-promised-3-d.html

The way I read John 3 is this: Jesus is telling Nicodemus how to receive eternal life. It’s simply by believing in Jesus for it. But Jesus never intended eternal life to be a way so that we know we will “go to heaven when we die.” Eternal life was given to work life change in our own lives so that we can bring Kingdom trnaformation to the world. I think this is what John 3:19-21 is about. Those who believe in Jesus, receive eternal life (John 3:16-18).

HOWEVER, the big problem for me right now with this is the recurrance of the term “judge” and “judgment” in verses 18 and 19. It seems in verse 18 that the basis of judgment is whether or not a person has believed in Jesus. But in the basis of that judgment in verse 19 is whether or not the person has loved the light.

It’s a very difficult text for “Free Grace” theology. Maybe our theology needs adjusting…

You’ve raised good questions. I will think on them more….

See if Jim Reitman can help out any. If so, let me know!

Again I’m simply try to put John 3:1-21 together. I’m not being argumentative so I don’t want to come across that way. So any help will be appreciated.

Again I’m simply try to put John 3:1-21 together. I’m not being argumentative so I don’t want to come across that way. So any help will be appreciated.

Isn’t Jesus talking to Nicodemus about how to have eternal life?
Aren’t these verses part of that context?
John 3:1-21 seem to be one whole section.

I was wondering how these verses fit into the context of the whole passage.

thanks!

Good to hear from you…

First, is this comment somehow related to the post? If not, that’s okay, but I am just a bit confused as to how they are connected…

Second, we need to be careful how we use the terms “saved” and “unsaved.” I believe a person can have eternal life, but in many senses, not be “saved.” That’s a whole study of it’s own…

Third, however you take John 3:20-21, it will also affect how you understand passages like 1 John 2:9-11; 3:8-10; etc.

The bottom line answer for me is that I don’t think any of these verses tell us how to determine who has eternal life and who does not. Instead, they provide instruction for us as believers about how to abide in the light, and live in the truth.

21 “But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Are these verses a contrast between a saved and unsaved person?

How do you see these verses?