Light vs. Darkness
John 3:17-19 (KJV) says, “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.”
Jesus’ mission is revealed as one of salvation, not condemnation.
God sent His Son into the world to save humanity, offering salvation to all who believe in Him.
Many of us love the first part of these verses but neglect the other portion.
However, those who do not believe are already condemned because they reject the truth and light of Jesus, choosing darkness instead.
Their refusal to embrace the light shows a deeper love for their evil deeds rather than the righteousness Jesus offers.
The condemnation is not a result of God’s rejection, but of people choosing to stay in sin rather than embrace the truth of Christ.
Yet, as long as they have breath in their bodies, they have the chance to come into the light of Christ.
Avoiding Self-Righteousness
It is unfortunate when believers who have found the way turn up their noses at those still searching.
In 1 Corinthians 6:11 (KJV), Paul reminds us, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Paul had to check their attitude and heart posture because they were once involved in various sinful behaviors, but through Jesus Christ, they had been cleansed, set apart, and made right with God.
God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace for All
As believers, we cannot act like anybody is beyond the reach of God’s love, mercy, and grace.
Had we not experienced that same love, mercy, and grace, we could have been on our way to hell, too.
Preaching with Conviction and Humility
We are called to preach the Gospel (the truth) of Jesus Christ, but we must do so in a way that not only brings conviction but also edifies.
Our approach must be one of boldness (We are dealing with a devil who is not playing, so I do not expect preachers to sit on the sidelines like cheerleaders when souls are on the line), love, and humility.
As preachers, we must check our hearts and motives daily. Why are we preaching this? Is it to help or hurt?
The Purpose of Preaching
Equally, sinners cannot get mad at the preacher for doing his job.
Romans 10:14 (KJV) says, “How shall they hear without a preacher?”
The preacher’s message is not to make us feel good.
The message is to call for some form of change in our lives that pushes us closer to God’s will for our lives.
Forgiveness and Transformation
A famous passage is the woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8.
We see the Pharisees and religious leaders desiring to stone this woman. Jesus asks the crowd, “He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone (John 8:7).”
Now, notice that Jesus said “among you,” meaning He is speaking to this specific group.
How were they in sin?
They wanted to use the law to stone the woman but failed to hold the man she was sleeping with accountable.
She was not committing adultery by herself.
Therefore, they were in sin for their biases and selective application of the law.
Nevertheless, Jesus concludes this interaction by saying to the woman, “Go and sin no more.”
He is not merely offering forgiveness but also a call to change.
He is urging the woman to leave her sinful lifestyle behind and live differently—no longer bound by the sin that once defined her life.
Jesus does not ignore the fact that she has sinned, but He also does not condemn her. He embodies the balance of truth and mercy.
He does not condone her sin but offers her the beauty of a new start, which is the essence of the Gospel message.
Urgency in Preaching
How would we like it if we were standing in the middle of a road with a car driving close to knock us down, and all the person was saying is that we look good, they like the shirt we are wearing, etc.?
No!
We would expect them to shout, “HURRY, GET OUT OF THE WAY! A CAR IS COMING TO HIT YOU!”
That is what the preacher is for—to warn sinners and believers alike to “GET OUT OF THE WAY OF SIN BECAUSE IT WILL LEAD TO DEATH!”
Accountability for Preachers and Hearers
Both preachers and hearers have a God-given responsibility when it comes to the truth of the Gospel.
Preachers are called to proclaim God’s Word with boldness, clarity, and humility, ensuring their message aligns with Scripture rather than personal opinions or agendas.
Hearers, on the other hand, are equally accountable for how they respond to the preached Word. It is not enough to merely listen; they must allow the Word to take root, transform their hearts, and lead to obedient action (James 1:22).
Time to Reflect
Examine Your Heart and Beliefs
- Reflect on whether you are truly walking in the light of Christ or clinging to areas of darkness.
- Ask yourself: Am I rejecting God’s truth in any area of my life?
Share the Gospel with Boldness and Humility
- Be intentional about preaching the truth, but always with love and compassion.
- Practice humility by remembering where God brought you from.
Embrace Forgiveness and Repentance
- Follow Jesus’ example with the woman caught in adultery—receive forgiveness and commit to turning away from sin.
- Regularly examine your life and confess areas where repentance is needed.
Hold Yourself and Others Accountable
- Partner with trusted mentors or accountability groups to stay aligned with God’s truth.
- Encourage others to seek transformation and be open to correction yourself.
Pray for Boldness and Clarity in Sharing God’s Word
- Pray for the courage to speak the truth even when it is uncomfortable.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom in delivering messages that convict without condemning.
Step Out of Darkness and Walk in the Light!
The truth is clear—Jesus came to save, not condemn.
Do not settle for living in the shadows when God is calling you into His marvelous light. His grace is enough to forgive, transform, and empower you.
It is time to let go of sin, embrace accountability, and stand firm in the truth.
Whether you’re a believer or still searching, the light of Christ is shining, waiting to lead you home.
Do not wait—come to Him today!
Raphael R. Roker 