Rescued Not Condemned
08/06/2025
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
— John 3:17 (NIV)
There’s something beautiful in realizing that Jesus didn’t come to point fingers, He came to extend hands. Today’s verse may be one of the most quoted verses in Scripture, but verse 17 is just as powerful and perhaps even more liberating for someone weighed down by guilt or shame.
We live in a world where condemnation is easy to find. Just scroll through social media or turn on the news. Mistakes are spotlighted, and failures are replayed. But into this cancel-culture chaos steps the Savior of the world, not with a gavel, but with grace.
Jesus didn’t come to enforce judgment on a broken world, He came to rescue it. That includes you. That includes the times you’ve fallen short, the regrets you carry, and the shame you hide. His mission was not to sentence, but to save, to step into our mess with mercy and offer a new beginning.
A great example would be that of a firefighter. When they run into a burning building, they’re not there to lecture the people trapped inside about fire safety. They’re there to pull them out, to rescue, not reprimand. That’s Jesus. He sees the flames of sin and brokenness and charges in to pull us to safety, often at great cost to Himself.
And yet, so many of us hesitate to draw near to God because we assume He’s angry or disappointed. But this verse is a direct rebuttal to that lie. The cross wasn’t an act of condemnation, it was an invitation. It was love in action.
So what does that mean for you today? It means you don’t have to run from God. You can run to Him. It means you don’t have to earn salvation, you simply receive it. It means you can stop living under the weight of judgment and start walking in the light of grace.
Here are some things to help you on your journey.
Speak Truth to Guilt: Write down any areas where you feel condemned. Then read this verse out loud and declare that Jesus came to save, not condemn.
Show Grace: Offer someone else the same kind of non-condemning grace you’ve received. Maybe someone needs your kindness more than your criticism.
Pray Boldly: Come to God in prayer without fear. Tell Him the real stuff, the struggles, the doubts, the sins. He already knows and still chooses to love.
My challenge for you is this:
Stop and reflect on this question: If Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, why are you condemning yourself? Let go of the judgment you’ve placed on yourself and others. Walk free today, rescued, not accused.
Father, thank You for sending Jesus not to condemn me, but to save me. Too often I carry shame You’ve already removed and run from the One who came to rescue me. Help me to receive Your grace deeply and share it freely with others. Thank You for not giving up on this world, or on me. Today, I choose to walk in freedom, not fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
— John 3:17 (NIV)
There’s something beautiful in realizing that Jesus didn’t come to point fingers, He came to extend hands. Today’s verse may be one of the most quoted verses in Scripture, but verse 17 is just as powerful and perhaps even more liberating for someone weighed down by guilt or shame.
We live in a world where condemnation is easy to find. Just scroll through social media or turn on the news. Mistakes are spotlighted, and failures are replayed. But into this cancel-culture chaos steps the Savior of the world, not with a gavel, but with grace.
Jesus didn’t come to enforce judgment on a broken world, He came to rescue it. That includes you. That includes the times you’ve fallen short, the regrets you carry, and the shame you hide. His mission was not to sentence, but to save, to step into our mess with mercy and offer a new beginning.
A great example would be that of a firefighter. When they run into a burning building, they’re not there to lecture the people trapped inside about fire safety. They’re there to pull them out, to rescue, not reprimand. That’s Jesus. He sees the flames of sin and brokenness and charges in to pull us to safety, often at great cost to Himself.
And yet, so many of us hesitate to draw near to God because we assume He’s angry or disappointed. But this verse is a direct rebuttal to that lie. The cross wasn’t an act of condemnation, it was an invitation. It was love in action.
So what does that mean for you today? It means you don’t have to run from God. You can run to Him. It means you don’t have to earn salvation, you simply receive it. It means you can stop living under the weight of judgment and start walking in the light of grace.
Here are some things to help you on your journey.
Speak Truth to Guilt: Write down any areas where you feel condemned. Then read this verse out loud and declare that Jesus came to save, not condemn.
Show Grace: Offer someone else the same kind of non-condemning grace you’ve received. Maybe someone needs your kindness more than your criticism.
Pray Boldly: Come to God in prayer without fear. Tell Him the real stuff, the struggles, the doubts, the sins. He already knows and still chooses to love.
My challenge for you is this:
Stop and reflect on this question: If Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, why are you condemning yourself? Let go of the judgment you’ve placed on yourself and others. Walk free today, rescued, not accused.
Father, thank You for sending Jesus not to condemn me, but to save me. Too often I carry shame You’ve already removed and run from the One who came to rescue me. Help me to receive Your grace deeply and share it freely with others. Thank You for not giving up on this world, or on me. Today, I choose to walk in freedom, not fear. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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