January 27, 2023 – Friday
John 3:36 NIV/NET/ESV
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 3:36 NKJV
36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Comments
This is how chapter 3 ends before John switches to Jesus in Samira in chapter 4. We know what John wrote in 3:16, 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life and in 3:18, 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 God’s one and only Son (discussed yesterday). Yet here he is making a very similar statement, 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. Why?
The why may be given by the Pulpit Commentary when it says about the phrase, He that believes on the son has eternal life, “These words, which above every other clause in this “swanlike song,” are suffused with a glow that it is difficult to believe issued from the heart of the forerunner, unless we may make the supposition already referred to, that some of John’s former disciples had carried to his earlier master the grand refrain of the discourse to Nicodemus. The entrusting of the soul in utter moral surrender to the Son of God, islife – eternal life.” I am moved by “These words are suffused with a glow … .” And what that means, “The entrusting of the soul in utter moral surrender to the Son of God, is life – eternal life” Moral surrender to the Son of God, is life – eternal life! What wonderful, beautiful words!
Further about, he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him, the Pulpit Commentary has much to say. Paraphrasing, it says, The one who does not believe is from a word that could also mean distrustful, one who refuses to be persuaded and expresses opposition to faith as an active exercise, repudiating faith on its worthiness and practical side. There is a blinding power of disobedience, which prevents those who are actively hostile to the essential excellences and glories of Christ from even knowing what life is. Blinding power of disobedience results in being actively hostile to the glories of Christ. This sounds so descriptive of a great many parts of our culture today. And this is very much like 1 John 5:10, 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.
Bottom Line: Believe and turn from a life of sin resulting in an embrace of eternal life. Trust in John 17:3, 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Refuse and face God’s eternal wrath.
Prayer: Almighty God, Thank You for letting our eyes be open to the truth even in our rebellion so that we could turn to You and Your Son for our salvation. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek