Q: What did John mean when he said that God "sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world"? What does "regeneration" mean to the believer? Why was [there] so much conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus?
A: Thank you for your questions.
What did John mean when he said that God "sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world?"
The answer to this question is found in the remaining part of the verse. The verse in question is John 3:17. It reads, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." The purpose of Jesus coming into the world was to save it. He did not need to condemn the world because the world, the people in it, were already condemned. John 3:18 says, "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Nobody is born into this world as a believer in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we are all condemned to an eternity separated from God because we are born spiritually dead to Him in our sins. Jesus did not need to come into the world to condemn us because we were already condemned; dead to God in sin. However, Jesus came into the world to save us by dying for our sins which originally caused God to remove His life from us, in Adam, back in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7; 17). Therefore, since the death of Jesus Christ dealt with the sin problem for all eternity, He could then offer the life of God, lost in Adam, back to us as a free gift. This was made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, if you believe in Jesus you have become born again of the Spirit of God; made alive to God. And because of the Cross there is no sin that can now cause God to remove His life from you. That is why the life we have is an eternal life; a life that carries you through your physical life, past death and on into eternity. You are now saved. Saved from the wages of sin, death, by the gift of God, life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23). You are no longer condemned along with those in the world who do not believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1).
What does "regeneration" mean?
Regeneration means "spiritual rebirth." It is what the Bible describes as being "born again." As Jesus told Nicodemus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).” What is birth? It is life. As mentioned previously, when we are born again through faith in Jesus Christ, we come alive to God as He raises us from the dead, spiritually, by giving us His very life. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22)." All mankind is born into this world in Adam. We are born physically alive to the world, but spiritually dead to God in our sins. Therefore, we must be "regenerated," spiritually reborn, by receiving the life of God that Jesus offers as a free gift. When God created Adam in the Garden of Eden, He "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being (Genesis 2:7)." However, God warned Adam that "in the day that you eat of [the tree of the knowledge of good and evil] you shall surely die (Genesis 2:17).” Adam disobeyed God, ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6) and died spiritually. God removed His life and Adam was no longer alive to God. He was physically alive and lived until he was 930 years old before he died (Genesis 5:5). To be in Adam is to be "unregenerate," spiritually dead. To be "regenerated" is to be in Christ, made alive to God. We had no choice when it comes to being born in Adam, but when we choose to believe in Jesus Christ, we are "regenerated."
Why was there so much conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus?
In short, there was so much conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus because the Pharisees believed that they had found a way to be obedient to God and were, therefore, not in need of a Savior. Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness (Matthew 23:27)." A hypocrite is an actor, someone who pretends to be something he is not. Jesus contrasts the outward appearance and behavior of the Pharisees with the inward condition of their hearts by comparing them to a whitewashed (clean) tomb. They give the appearance of godliness on the outside by the way they act and dress, but in their hearts they did not know God. The Pharisees had deceived themselves into believing they were obedient to God because they were called God's chosen people and were given the Mosaic Law directly by God through Moses. However, they were chosen by God and given the Law in order that He might set in motion His plan of salvation fulfilled in Jesus Christ (John 4:22). The purpose of the Law is to lead unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:19, 24) by showing a person their sinfulness and need for God's grace and mercy. Therefore, when Jesus came as their Savior they rejected Him and ultimately plotted to kill Him (Matthew 26:4). When someone tells you that the way you are living, and have lived as a people for thousands of years, is not pleasing to God, your initial reaction is to be upset. The Pharisees were unable to counter the claims of the Lord, since He was God in the flesh, and rather than examine their own hearts and receive Jesus by faith, they wanted Him dead in order to preserve their lifestyle (John 11:48). It is sad when you think about it. The Jewish Messiah, that the Pharisees looked forward to coming, shows up and they reject Him and kill Him. That is a conflict if there ever was one.
I pray these answers have shed some light on your questions. May God continue to reveal to you the truth of His Word and the revelation of Himself in Christ Jesus.
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