6 Truths about Jesus’ Coming into the World

So, not only are people enraptured by their own sins, the deeds of darkness into which their lives have fallen, they will stand hostile to anything contrary to a self-run life. They will not want to approach the light in humility that Jesus loves. But rather, they will want to stay away from the light, keeping their evil deeds close. The problem is, not exposing ourselves to Jesus means we are stuck in our sins and hostile to the ways of God. Jesus’ way is for us to come to Him in humility and poorness of spirit, recognizing our lostness without Him. He then takes us by the hand and kindly shows us our sins that we may honor Him with our lives and be free—taking the free gift of salvation that He offers.

John 3:21 gives hope and direction: “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his worlds have been carried out in God.”

Those who have been exposed to the light, with the grace of Jesus at hand, will see that deeds hostile to God cannot ultimately stand. Ultimately, there will be judgment and condemnation for evil. For, God is good and just. But those who have looked with Jesus at their sins, turning from them to trust Jesus’ forgiveness, want to walk in the light. These are the people who do what is true, who want the standards of Scripture in their lives. They are the people who walk with God on this earth.

Jesus came into the world, and He caused great hope for some and aroused great hostility from others. Jesus came for those who knew they were weak, poor, helpless, and hopeless without Him. He came for those who knew they were like sheep without a Shepherd. He came in love for the whole world, even while knowing that many would love their evil deeds more than Him and would stand in hostility toward Him. Jesus comes to bring great change in our lives. We go from self-focus and self-rule to a spirit of humility and service to God that welcomes truth in our deepest parts.

Jesus makes clear in these verses that we must choose how we are to respond to Jesus’ message of love and salvation. Jesus did not come with condemnation, but with hope and light and life and truth and love and compassion and help. He came to give His life so that people could be saved from themselves, from evil, and from death. We must reply to Jesus’ outreach toward us with hearts that are soft and listening to Him. We must respond to the light that He has set in our lives and draw near with lowliness of spirit. We must determine that nothing is greater than Jesus—no lifestyle, manner of living, or sense of control in our lives is greater than having and knowing Him.

When we do respond to Jesus with humility and welcome the light of His truth and love into our lives, the result is beautiful. We have the salvation of our very souls and lives that are turned around by seeing Him for who He is, the sacrificial Lamb of God who gave Himself for our souls.

More from this author
Jesus Longs for and Desires His People
12 Encouraging Truths for When You’re Low
The Place of Change and Shadow in Our Theology

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/titoOnz

Lianna Davis is author of Keeping the Faith: A Study in Jude and Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss. She is also a contributor to We Evangelicals and Our Mission with Cascade Books. Lianna is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter. You can learn more about her writing at her website.