John 3:16 is one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible. “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten son, that whosoever should believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. Those words slip off the lips of a believer seemingly like butter. They’re often used in an effort to bring comfort. The precursor to reciting a prayer of salvation. I’ve often thought of those words. That prayer. With my mind softly pricking me of the verse that follows. The one not as commonly uttered. John 3:17…do you kno it? 

It’s a verse not as commonly expressed, but one I think many would do well to know and remember. “For God did not send his son to condemn the world, but to save it”. 

But. To. Save. It.

You ever think about the last time you made a mistake? The thoughts that flooded your mind the moment you realized you had messed up? The things that you said to yourself about yourself? Ever wonder what you would think of someone who said those things about you? Like, you’re standing there in the midst of the shitstorm you know you created and someone just walks up and starts criticizing you and condemning you for the mistake you made? How would that make you feel? Would you suddenly feel like you learned something…or would you have a desire to punch them in the throat? You see, no one likes it when someone throws salt in a wound. No one likes it when they get a mistake thrown in their face. And yet, that’s exactly what we tend to do to ourselves when we mess up.

Conviction: prompts change, restores, heals, lifts up, corrects. Condemnation: isolates, separates, cuts down, destroys.

Understand the difference.

One is insight and direction given by the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit; the other is relayed out of a desire of flesh.

Christ had no interest in condemning the World, because He knew that condemnation wouldn’t prompt the change He was looking to achieve. Christ wanted to provide an internal Conviction, within the heart of the people He encountered, so that real change, real growth, could take place.

And I have to ask and wonder…why aren’t the people who profess to be followers and believers of the Christ behaving the same way?

Christ is the perfect example of how we all should behave and approach things, is He not? Then why isn’t the body of Christ waiting for the prompting of the Holy Spirit before offering up its judgement? Knowing that Righteous Judgement convicts…prompts real change, real growth, real healing?

It just feels to me as if sometimes, we as the church, miss it. And we “miss it” for some of the dumbest reasons. So wrapped up in our outward appearance and desire to be used of God that we put ourselves and inject ourselves into situations that Christ had no intention of us ever being involved in. Sometimes in ways that actually prolongs bondage and suffering. In our desire and effort to do good, we actually do more harm?

Christ is a Master Psychologist…He knows where people are in their lives. He knows the very thing they need for real growth and change in their lives. As believers, as Christians, it’s imperative that we work to stay in tune with that. Praying and waiting on the leading of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us, prompt us, to offer the help, speak the words, do what needs to be done, at the very right moment; that perfect moment, ordained by Christ Himself, that gives the people we encounter that out…that chance at freedom. Without that, any effort at witnessing, is folly.

Be mindful of that. Don’t allow the desires of your flesh to push people away from their faith.

Wait for the prompting of the Holy Spirit so that your words will be received in Conviction and not thru Condemnation….and if the prompting never comes, then remain silent.

I know many that desire to be used of Christ. But sometimes the best use is for you to simply hold your tongue, and pray. Stop putting your own desires and wants above the will of Christ. Step aside and stand down. Let the Master physician do what He knows to do. And remember and be grateful of the work He has done in you. 

Christ was faithful in the work He did in your life…Trust Him to be faithful in the work of the lives of the people around you. He is faithful. Rest in that. What needs to be said, will be said; what needs to be done, will be done…in its perfect time. Guaranteed. 

Your “Commission” is the Christs Commission…and Christs Commission is to SAVE it. 

In ALL your dealings, DO THAT.

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