Rev Gav

24th January 2025

John 3.17–21

‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’

Reflect

We think, say, and do things of which we are ashamed, and this shame leads us to hide ourselves from God, however, here’s a thing. God knows! God knows everything about us. As the Psalmist writes, “Where can I flee from your presence?” There is no hiding place from God!

It takes bravery to step out of the darkness into the light, so what are we afraid of? Condemnation? Re-read the first line of today’s passage. God will not condemn us but save us. We wouldn’t need saving if we were perfect and holy. There is nothing that God cannot redeem. There is no-one that God cannot restore. There is nothing that God cannot forgive. Therefore, dear friends, today, step into God’s light.

Pray

Holy God, you know me better than I know myself. You know my good bits, my bad bits, and my ugly bits. Forgive me when I have shied away from you; when I have remained in the shadows out of shame or fear. Today, I step into your marvellous light, the light of Jesus, trusting in your unfailing love. Now and forever. Amen.