God's Intention for the World
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
JOHN 3:16
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God's Intention for the World
In these words you hear even more forcibly and clearly what God's will and intention is toward the world, that is, toward those who have sin and because of it are already under the judgment and verdict of damnation. He takes out of the way everything that wants to frighten us because of sins. He says simply and clearly that Christ was sent and His kingdom was established not so that He would condemn and damn. This judgment and verdict were already there over all people through the Law, because they are all born in sin, are already sentenced to death and the hangman with his rope, and the only thing lacking is for the sword to be drawn. Then Christ steps into the middle at God's command, orders judge and jailer to leave off, and rescues and makes alive those who were condemned. The reason He comes is to help the world, which He finds already damned. This is shown also by the words He speaks—"in order to save the world"—for that is enough for us to understand that the world must have been damned. Why else does it need to be saved?
From the Church Postil, sermon for Pentecost Monday on John 3:16-21 (Luther's Works 77:376)
JOHN 3:16
+
God's Intention for the World
In these words you hear even more forcibly and clearly what God's will and intention is toward the world, that is, toward those who have sin and because of it are already under the judgment and verdict of damnation. He takes out of the way everything that wants to frighten us because of sins. He says simply and clearly that Christ was sent and His kingdom was established not so that He would condemn and damn. This judgment and verdict were already there over all people through the Law, because they are all born in sin, are already sentenced to death and the hangman with his rope, and the only thing lacking is for the sword to be drawn. Then Christ steps into the middle at God's command, orders judge and jailer to leave off, and rescues and makes alive those who were condemned. The reason He comes is to help the world, which He finds already damned. This is shown also by the words He speaks—"in order to save the world"—for that is enough for us to understand that the world must have been damned. Why else does it need to be saved?
From the Church Postil, sermon for Pentecost Monday on John 3:16-21 (Luther's Works 77:376)
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