John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God — the verdict distinguishes believers (not under condemnation) from unbelievers (already condemned). Remarkably, condemnation precedes Jesus' judgment; refusal of the light already constitutes judgment. The present tense ("stands condemned") suggests that unbelief's judgment is not future consequence but present reality.