February 13 John 3:36
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
This verse, spoken by John the Baptist, presents a stark and profound truth about salvation, belief, and eternal life. It divides humanity into two categories based on their response to Jesus Christ:
1. The Gift of Eternal Life Through Belief
The verse begins with the promise that “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”
•“Believes” here is more than intellectual agreement. The Greek word pisteuō implies trust, reliance, and a personal, ongoing commitment to Jesus Christ.
•“Has eternal life” is present tense, indicating that eternal life is not merely a future hope but a present reality. Believers begin to experience the life of God’s kingdom here and now—life characterized by communion with God, peace, purpose, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Application: Belief in Christ is transformative. It moves beyond words to shape one’s life, choices, and priorities.
2. The Consequences of Rejection and Disobedience
The second half of the verse warns: “whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life.”
•Some translations use “does not believe” instead of “does not obey”, but the Greek word here (apeitheō) conveys both disbelief and disobedience. True belief naturally leads to obedience, and refusal to believe results in resistance to Christ’s authority.
•To “not see life” means to remain spiritually blind and separated from the life that only God can give. It suggests that without Christ, one lives in spiritual death, regardless of worldly success.
Application: Genuine belief results in obedience to Christ. Refusal to submit to His lordship leaves one spiritually dead.
3. The Reality of God’s Wrath
The verse concludes: “the wrath of God remains on him.”
•“Wrath” here does not imply an impulsive or unjust anger but God’s holy and just response to sin. It is the natural consequence of rejecting the only provision for salvation—Jesus Christ.
•The phrase “remains on him” indicates that God’s wrath is already present because of human sin (see John 3:18). Only faith in Christ removes it.
Application: This is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of rejecting Christ. God’s wrath is not arbitrary but the inevitable consequence of unrepentant sin.
Theological Insights
•Grace and Judgment: God’s grace is extended through Christ, offering eternal life to all who believe. Yet, God’s holiness demands justice for sin.
•Faith and Obedience: True faith is inseparable from obedience. Saving faith is not passive but actively trusts and follows Christ.
•The Urgency of the Gospel: This verse underscores the urgency of evangelism. Belief in Christ is the dividing line between eternal life and eternal separation from God.
In summary, John 3:36 captures the heart of the Gospel message: eternal life is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ, while those who reject Him remain under God’s just judgment. It is both an invitation and a warning—a call to believe, obey, and live in the fullness of life that Christ offers.
I’ve always thought invitation to be better than fear and compulsion. However, it may be that some people won’t respond to Grace as much as they might first respond to fear. After all we wouldn’t need laws if everyone just did what is good, kind, and right. There are consequences!
Which compels you more?
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