In order to come to Jesus, one must believe that he is who he says he is and if he doesn’t, the condemnation continues.  He made the contrast in John 3:18 about belief and condemnation: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God; Jesus didn’t have to condemn and he still doesn’t because by practicing sin we have condemned ourselves. Then he defined the nature of the condemnation beginning in John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

When Adam and Eve disobeyed, they hid from God because they had engaged in evil. In Geneses 3:8-13 the scriptures tell us of their attempt to hide and why: And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. They tried to hide because they had violated the instructions of God. They were burdened with sin; they knew it and couldn’t escape the eyes of God.  The author of Hebrews wrote in 4:12-13: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Adam and Eve were naked before God, he knew what they had done and that condemned them to that life of toil mentioned in the beginning of the lesson.

Jesus knew what was in the heart of men and knew that they possessed evil intent, but that didn’t keep him from saying come unto me.  Every person who is trying to live right, but won’t obey Jesus, can’t possibly escape the burden of sin that weights them down. In Hebrews 12:1-4 are these words: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. The writer says lay aside the sin and look to Jesus. No matter what the sin may be, Jesus can deal with it. Daily the invitation from Jesus is “come unto me and I will give you rest.”  Salvation from sin in Jesus Christ brings, as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, peace of mind: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

© 02-26-2003 DEC

Revised 05-24-2008

              Next Week Peace I Leave With You