"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" (John 3:18, KJV).
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(A) Background
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Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, a pharisee, regarding being born again (3:3-7), elaborates by teaching him about our condition before God.
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(B) Faith Lesson
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We are condemned, as Jesus says, because we have not yet believed on Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins (John 3:18). We are all born into this world in sin, without faith, without that saving faith (Ephesians 2:8).
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This means that none of us is born righteous (Romans 3:10). We must look to Jesus Christ for the righteousness of God to be imputed unto us (Philippians 3:9).
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The Gospel is the message of a PARDON from the guilt of sin, to prisoners in prison, who have already been condemned. In Christ, we are FREE from condemnation, just as if we had never sinned, guiltless.
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If a person knows they are a prisoner, condemned to execution, on death row, surely he/she would jump at the pardon. But, is this a part of what we share? People need to know and understand our condition before they hear the "Good News".
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(C) Life Application
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How do we see ourselves apart from God? Are we okay? Do we have just enough goodness? Are we redeemable of our own selves?
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When sharing with people, do we share the bad news or just brush by it on our way to the happy part of the Gospel, the good news?

Jerry is a bi-vocational, helping pastor-teacher, Christian life coach, TESOL trainer & manager, author, and freelance writer, with degrees in Christian education, teaching-English, business, theology, and divinity, currently residing in the Philippines. His interests include practical theology.