Never Read a Bible Verse

One of the worst thing a Christian can do is to read a Bible Verse. When we single out a verse and take it out of context, well, lets just say that's one of the quickest way to "step onto the slippery slope of false teaching" (Proverbs 14:12). So let us look at John 3:16 in context. A Pharisee named Nicodemus came in the middle of the night looking for Jesus. The teacher of the law is intrigued and impressed by the teaching of Christ came seeking further enlightenment from who he considered to be a prophet from God. Jesus instead of indulges in a theological discussion, turns the whole discussion into a witnessing encounter. Jesus first confounds Nicodemus by the straight forward declaration that the Kingdom of God only welcomes those who are "born again" (verse 3 -8) Nicodemus, now both confused and intrigued by Jesus, pleads with him to explain "How can these things be?" (verse 9) And here is Jesus' answer (verses 10-21):

Does your theology suffer from biblical tunnel vision?

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 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. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God"

In light of everything of what Christ said, the message of love disappears into the back drop of a message of confrontational rebuke!. He points out Nicodemus' ignorance of God's word and his stubborn unbelief. While Christ said the He is not here to condemn the world, our master lovingly and boldly proclaim that the world is ALREADY CONDEMNNED. Further more the Savior goes on to define the reason of the world's condemnation: They are evil doers, they hate God which is the light of the world and they refuse to come to God for forgiveness. This is hardly a "God loves you and have a wonderful plan for your life" message. Christ, here in John chapter 3 and throughout the Gospel account is more interested in pointing out to men and woman what they are perishing from rather than the Love of God.

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