God’s Love and Light: Lessons from John 3

James Brown

Welcome to Shutter the Dark Podcast.

James Brown

John 3:16, you know,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. God made this sacrifice so that through Jesus our sins would be forgiven.

James Brown

And when you think about it, the language here is intentional. God didn’t loan His Son, didn’t kinda send Him halfway and pull Him back. No, He gave. And that word "gave" carries weight—it’s an act of giving up, of letting go.

James Brown

God gave his only Son Jesus so we may accept Jesus into our hearts. It's as simple as asking for Salvation through what Jesus did in obedience to his Father God. When we sincerely ask Jesus into our heart, it's life changing. It does not stop there. Read the Bible, Pray, and worship God and commit your life to God. Things change.

James Brown

This divine balance. God loves, so He gives. And when we believe, we receive eternal life. There’s an exchange there, but—but it’s not transactional. It’s relational. Showing Gods love for us.

James Brown

It’s not about boundaries. It doesn’t say, "God loved a few," or "God loved the perfect." It says "the world." That’s everyone. That’s you and me, with all our flaws, all our mistakes. Isn’t that something? To be so deeply loved just as we are.

James Brown

And then there’s this promise of belief—"whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It’s not just about avoiding death, but about gaining something eternal, something transformative. Belief, true belief, shifts your entire being. It’s like walking out of darkness into the light.

James Brown

You know, John 3:19-21 takes us even further, painting this picture of light and darkness, truth and sin. And it’s—it’s really about choices, isn’t it? How belief isn’t just about words or some internal conviction; it’s also about how we respond to the light of truth or how, sometimes, we shy away from it.

James Brown

I think about the idea in verse 19: "Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light." And isn’t that just so human? We’re drawn to comfort, to what’s easy, even if it isn’t good for us. Darkness, you know, it kind of represents those times when we want to hide, to avoid facing the consequences.

James Brown

And verse 20 gets real about that—"everyone that does evil hates the light." It’s not because the light is bad, but because it reveals. It shows us what we’d rather not deal with, kinda like a mirror we don’t wanna look into. It’s challenging because it calls for change, for accountability. Let’s be honest here, that’s tough.

James Brown

On the flip side, though, verse 21 shows us what happens when we embrace the light: "That his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." There’s a beauty in stepping into the light, even when it’s hard. It’s a surrender, sure, but also a gaining—a connection to something bigger, something pure.

James Brown

This contrast between light and darkness—between Salvation and sin. Jesus rescues us and brings us out of the Darkness.

James Brown

That’s what stepping into the light feels like, right? It’s not just about exposure; it’s about being found and restored. About trusting the one holding the light to guide you out of the darkness. And really, doesn’t the Gospel call us to be that light for others, too?

James Brown

So the choice is always there—stay hidden in the shadows or walk into the brightness of truth. And...

James Brown

You know, verse 21 paints such an inspiring picture: "He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." There’s this assurance, this promise here, that when we live in truth—when we’re following God’s principles—our actions shine, not for our glory, but as proof that God is working through us. And isn’t that what we’re all trying to do? To live in a way that reflects His light to others?

James Brown

Stepping into the light isn’t easy. There’s this, well, resistance, because light—truth—it exposes everything. It doesn’t just highlight the good; it also uncovers the mess we’d rather keep hidden. Light feels unbearable?

James Brown

And, honestly, you kind of see this dynamic in society today. We are all guilty of choosing temporary comfort over dedication to God? Avoiding hard questions or tough truths. But living in the light isn’t about comfort; it’s about transformation, about finding real, lasting peace in God’s truth.

James Brown

And here’s what I want to leave you with: living in God’s light means we’re not limited by our flaws or fears. It’s not about pretending we have it all together; it’s about letting God work through us, just as we are. His light doesn’t just illuminate our path—it draws others in, too.

James Brown

We close today, Walk boldly into the light, not just for yourself, but for those around you who need to see the way forward. Remember Salvation through Jesus changes everything. Christians reflect on your own Salvation. Don't know God ask Jesus into your heart. God Bless