Choosing Light: The Active Nature of Belief

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verses 19-21, we find a profound truth about the human condition and the nature of belief and unbelief. Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, reveals that the light has come into the world, yet people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. This passage highlights the moral problem inherent in humanity, which is not merely intellectual but deeply rooted in the heart. The world is divided into two groups: those who believe in Jesus and those who do not. This division is not just a passive state but an active choice, as people either embrace the light or reject it due to their love for darkness.

The essence of sin is not just the absence of good but a positive inclination towards evil. This is evident in the way people react to the light of Christ. The rejection of Jesus is not a neutral stance but a deliberate choice driven by a love for darkness. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of sin and unbelief. Sin is not merely a lack of good qualities but an active force that drives people away from God. Similarly, unbelief is not a passive state but a conscious rejection of the light.

The hatred of the light is evident throughout history, from the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus to the persecution of His followers. This animosity towards the light is not limited to overt hostility but can also manifest as quiet contempt or indifference. The human heart, by nature, resists the light because it exposes sin and challenges the pride and self-sufficiency of individuals. The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts us with the reality of our sinful nature and the need for a radical transformation—a new birth.

The gospel is a light that reveals the truth about our condition and offers a way out through Jesus Christ. It calls us to acknowledge our sinfulness and turn to God for a new life. This transformation enables us to love the light and hate the darkness, preparing us for eternal life in the presence of God.

Key Takeaways:

- The division between belief and unbelief is not passive but an active choice. People love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil, highlighting the moral problem at the heart of humanity. This choice is a reflection of the positive nature of sin, which is not merely the absence of good but an active inclination towards evil. [04:22]

- Sin and unbelief are not negative or neutral states but positive forces that drive people away from God. The rejection of Jesus and His gospel is a deliberate choice driven by a love for darkness. This understanding challenges the modern view that sees sin as a mere lack of development or a negative phase. [11:32]

- The hatred of the light is evident in the historical and ongoing rejection of Jesus and His followers. This animosity is not limited to overt hostility but can also manifest as quiet contempt or indifference. The human heart, by nature, resists the light because it exposes sin and challenges pride. [22:36]

- The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts us with the reality of our sinful nature and the need for a radical transformation—a new birth. This transformation is necessary because our nature loves darkness and hates the light. The gospel calls us to acknowledge our sinfulness and turn to God for a new life. [43:03]

- The light of the gospel reveals the truth about our condition and offers a way out through Jesus Christ. It calls us to love the light and hate the darkness, preparing us for eternal life in the presence of God. This transformation enables us to face death without fear, knowing that we are reconciled with God. [52:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to John 3:19-21
- [01:01] - The Purpose of Jesus' Coming
- [02:29] - The Division of Belief and Unbelief
- [04:04] - The Tragedy of Unbelief
- [05:35] - Ignorance of Self and Christ
- [07:18] - The Moral Problem of Humanity
- [09:18] - Sin as a Positive Force
- [11:32] - Unbelief as Active Rejection
- [14:50] - The Power of Sin and Drives
- [19:09] - Hatred of the Light
- [22:36] - Historical Rejection of Christ
- [25:07] - Persecution of the Gospel
- [29:59] - Personal Stories of Light Rejection
- [35:33] - The Strangeness of Hating the Light
- [38:27] - Reasons for Hating the Light
- [43:03] - The Need for New Birth
- [47:57] - Facing Death and Judgment
- [52:11] - Call to Embrace the Light

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 3:19-21

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to John 3:19-21, what is the reason people prefer darkness over light? How does this preference relate to their deeds? [00:40]

2. In the sermon, how does the speaker describe the division of the world into two groups? What are the characteristics of these groups? [02:29]

3. What examples from history does the sermon provide to illustrate the hatred of the light? How does this animosity manifest? [22:36]

4. How does the sermon explain the nature of sin and unbelief as active forces rather than passive states? [11:32]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the speaker's explanation of sin as a positive force challenge modern views of sin as merely a lack of development? What implications does this have for understanding human nature? [10:19]

2. The sermon mentions that the gospel confronts us with the need for a radical transformation. What does this transformation entail, and why is it necessary according to the speaker? [43:03]

3. How does the speaker use the story of Jesus' rejection and crucifixion to illustrate the human heart's resistance to the light? What does this reveal about the nature of unbelief? [22:36]

4. The sermon discusses the quiet contempt or indifference some people have towards the light. How does this form of animosity compare to more overt hostility? [28:06]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you resisted the light of the gospel in your own life. What was the underlying reason for this resistance, and how did you overcome it? [50:14]

2. The sermon suggests that sin and unbelief are active choices. In what ways can you actively choose to embrace the light in your daily life? [11:32]

3. Consider the speaker's point about the need for a new birth. How can you seek this transformation in your spiritual journey, and what steps can you take to nurture it? [43:03]

4. The sermon highlights the human tendency to hate the light because it exposes sin. How can you cultivate a heart that welcomes the light and is open to correction? [39:28]

5. How does the fear of judgment and death influence your relationship with God? What can you do to face these fears with confidence in your faith? [47:57]

6. The speaker mentions the quiet contempt some have towards the gospel. How can you engage with individuals who display this attitude, and what approach might help them see the value of the light? [28:06]

7. Reflect on the speaker's call to acknowledge our sinful nature and turn to God. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with God and embrace the light more fully? [51:43]

Devotional

Day 1: The Active Choice of Belief or Unbelief
The division between belief and unbelief is not a passive state but an active choice. People love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil, highlighting the moral problem at the heart of humanity. This choice is a reflection of the positive nature of sin, which is not merely the absence of good but an active inclination towards evil. The decision to embrace or reject the light of Christ is a conscious one, driven by the desires of the heart. This understanding challenges the notion that unbelief is simply a lack of understanding or knowledge. Instead, it is a deliberate choice to turn away from the light and remain in darkness. [04:22]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: Consider a recent decision where you chose comfort over conviction. How can you actively choose the light in similar situations today?


Day 2: Sin and Unbelief as Active Forces
Sin and unbelief are not negative or neutral states but positive forces that drive people away from God. The rejection of Jesus and His gospel is a deliberate choice driven by a love for darkness. This understanding challenges the modern view that sees sin as a mere lack of development or a negative phase. Sin is an active force that opposes the good and seeks to draw individuals away from the truth of the gospel. Unbelief, similarly, is not a passive state but a conscious rejection of the light that has come into the world. [11:32]

James 4:17 (ESV): "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you have been passive in your faith. What steps can you take today to actively pursue righteousness?


Day 3: The Historical and Ongoing Rejection of the Light
The hatred of the light is evident in the historical and ongoing rejection of Jesus and His followers. This animosity is not limited to overt hostility but can also manifest as quiet contempt or indifference. The human heart, by nature, resists the light because it exposes sin and challenges pride. Throughout history, the light of Christ has been met with resistance, from the crucifixion of Jesus to the persecution of His followers. This resistance is a testament to the deep-seated inclination towards darkness that exists within humanity. [22:36]

1 John 3:13 (ESV): "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you faced resistance or indifference because of your faith. How can you respond with grace and truth in similar situations?


Day 4: The Necessity of a Radical Transformation
The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts us with the reality of our sinful nature and the need for a radical transformation—a new birth. This transformation is necessary because our nature loves darkness and hates the light. The gospel calls us to acknowledge our sinfulness and turn to God for a new life. This new birth is not just a change in behavior but a complete transformation of the heart and mind, enabling us to love the light and hate the darkness. [43:03]

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a heart transformation? How can you invite God to begin this work in you today?


Day 5: Embracing the Light for Eternal Life
The light of the gospel reveals the truth about our condition and offers a way out through Jesus Christ. It calls us to love the light and hate the darkness, preparing us for eternal life in the presence of God. This transformation enables us to face death without fear, knowing that we are reconciled with God. Embracing the light is not just about avoiding darkness but actively pursuing a relationship with God that leads to eternal life. [52:11]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: How can you actively pursue a deeper relationship with God today, knowing that it prepares you for eternal life? What practical steps can you take to embrace the light in your daily routine?

Quotes


and yet he goes on to say that though he had not been sent into the world to condemn the world that nevertheless his coming did produce a judgement and that as the result of his coming the world was divided into two main groups those who believe in him and those who do not believe in him now our Lord obviously found that it was necessary that he should go on to say these things [00:02:17]

and so he knows that there is in men a fundamental misunderstanding both with regard to himself and with regard to his relationship to God and thus you see it comes to pass that what God did in order that men might be saved becomes the very means of condemnation he that believeth not is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God [00:03:18]

this generation of mankind especially all have lived in this present century we all tend to pride ourselves on knowledge we say knowledge is power knowledge we think is the thing we need and if only we had that knowledge everything would be right and yet our Lord says this is the condemnation that light has come well what's the matter with men then [00:06:39]

our Lord indicates it in the use of these words darkness and light if teaching is that men by nature is enveloped in darkness that all of us there we have the Faculty in a sense of vision and of sight are not able to use it we are blinded by a darkness that is what the Bible means by evil and by sin [00:07:41]

it is vital that we should understand that sin and evil are not negative but are positive now I say that of course because of the very terminology which is used here by our Lord he talks about men loving darkness rather than light and hating light now we must be clear therefore about this state this condition of sin in which the whole human race by nature is involved [00:09:10]

he says this is the condemnation that light has come into the world and men love darkness now he uses a word which is a very strong word there we just translated as love love there means the love of intelligence it means love which is a deliberate choice an active choice in other words he says the condemnation is that the light has come into the world [00:11:29]

now the astounding thing to me is that anybody should be disposed to query that or to question it or to argue against it are we not all aware when we rarely are quite honest and when we analyze ourselves and our lives and our activities that we are aware within ourselves of a positive power the direction of evil [00:12:54]

now the trouble with mankind is that it hasn't yet fully developed it's in this negative phase it hasn't arrived yet it's a positive condition for which it was destined so they say you mustn't talk so much about evil what you really mean is that certain people fail to do good now that is the argument with which you are familiar [00:10:46]

and you know it's continued since then whenever the Christian Church is rarely active and powerful she is always persecuted you read the account of any revival or great religious awakening that has ever taken place and you will always find that this same bitterness and malice and hatred and spleen have ever been many festive [00:24:38]

and it is because we like these things and love them and delight in them and gloat in them that we hate the gospel because it condemned well let me give you one great classical illustration that seems to me to put it all so perfectly it's a story in the Old Testament King Ahab of Israel had invited Jehoshaphat the king of Judah to go up with him in a certain expedition [00:39:24]

and it is because we like these things and love them and delight in them and gloat in them that we hate the gospel because it condemned well let me give you one great classical illustration that seems to me to put it all so perfectly it's a story in the Old Testament King Ahab of Israel had invited Jehoshaphat the king of Judah to go up with him in a certain expedition [00:39:24]

and what had been something casual to him before now became the biggest thing in the most central thing in his life and this meant in his case that he felt he'd gotta go to a prayer meeting every Monday night to a fellowship meeting every Wednesday night into a mins discussion meeting every Saturday night in the chapel to which he belonged [00:31:00]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?