John 3:16... and 17-20

EVERYONE knows John 3:16. Even those who don't believe have at least heard this verse before. But what does it mean to them? Little to nothing.
Why is that? Because God's grace means nothing to those who don't think they need it.
Reading on, in 17-20 we learn just how much we need His Mercy and Grace.


16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 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.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
God sent His Son because we were already condemned by our sin; His love for us caused Him to take action to save us from ourselves.

When people think of Sin, the blame-game is still being played. In the Garden Adam and Eve blamed each other and the serpent, and the serpent hadn't a leg to stand on. But, here we are, many generations later and we are still pointing fingers. James addresses this a little in chapter one: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(James1:13-16)

It is our own fault when we fall into temptations and evil, and we on our own haven't the power to flee it. 1st Corinthians 10:13 says:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

When we look to our Savior, as He saved us from our sin, He will continue to provide to keep us from it. Without Him, all there is left is sin and death.