John 3:20

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.

These two verses are a further explanation of John 3:19, spelling out the universal law regarding the hatred of evil men for the truth of God, called here "the light." Also, there is the converse of it, namely, that good men seek and desire the truth. The whole spectrum of human behavior appears in this concise statement of eternal principles.

He that doeth evil hateth the light ... Wicked people are essentially night operators, being afraid of the light which could expose them. Most crimes are committed in darkness, and the police force is always busiest at night. Spiritually, the same principles hold. Wicked and unspiritual people stay as far as possible away from any study or discussion of God's word. If they attend worship at all, it is prompted by other considerations than a desire to know God; and for the vast majority of the wicked, worship services are absolutely off limits.

Lest their works should be reproved ... This is the reason for the wicked's avoidance of contact with truth. Not only would the word of God condemn his deeds, but his own conscience would be aroused against himself if it became enlightened, a discomfort which the wicked will not willingly endure, fleeing from the light to avoid it.

He that doeth the truth cometh to the light ... The person with the honest and good heart desires to walk uprightly before God and man, loves the truth, and seeks to know more of God's will. The light does not need to seek him; he seeks the light and shuns the works of darkness.

That his works may be manifest ... The good heart does not shrink from testing his behavior against the teachings of the Lord, being willing to correct deficiencies or aberrations in his life upon becoming aware of them.

That they are wrought in God ... This is the end of walking in the light. Human behavior is so corrected and disciplined that the whole life and all of its actions are wrought "in God." "For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

In this connection, it should be observed that: God in people and people in God, Christ in people and people in Christ, the Spirit in people and people in the Spirit, the mind of Christ in people, and the word of Christ in people are not references to various conditions, but to one condition. Who is the person of whom such expressions are valid? He is the Christian, the man born of water and of the Spirit who is faithful to his trust.

This concluded the Lord's interview with Nicodemus, an interview reported only in part, we may be sure; but enough was recorded to make it one of the most significant ever to occur on earth. Here was enunciated, probably for the first time, the doctrine of the new birth; and, from Jesus' words in this interview, there can be no doubt that this doctrine lies at the very heart of Christianity. The conclusion is established beyond any question that in order to enter fellowship with God, one must be baptized into Christ and receive the Holy Spirit - such is the sacred and eternal law laid down here by the Lord. Let every man ask himself, therefore, if indeed he has been born of water and the Spirit!