"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" (John 3:36).
With verse 36, the testimony of John reaches its final climax, that only those who have abiding faith in Jesus Christ will have eternal life. Those who refuse to believe this testimony will not have life, but the wrath of God remains on them. Throughout the Old Testament and now into the New with the preaching of John the Baptist, we have a comparison being made between those who are in Christ, within the covenant of God, and those who remain outside.
Let us look at some other passages that support this comparison between the wicked and the righteous:
“The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup” (Ps. 11:5–6).
“ ‘For behold the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘That will leave them neither root nor branch. But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings’ ” (Mal. 4:1–2).
As you can see, John’s audience was not ignorant of the promises given to those who follow the Word of the Lord and those who do not. The only difference in John’s day (and our own) was that the “Sun of Righteousness” had been named. He now walked among them. And if the people put their faith in Him (as was foretold in the Old Testament), they would receive the gift of eternal life. But those who refused to believe would receive the judgment they deserved.
Notice that God’s wrath would not come upon them when they rejected Christ, but that His wrath would remain on them. God’s wrath abides on all mankind. All have sinned and are under condemnation, whether they have heard the testimony of Christ or not. John’s point is that unless you believe in the Son of God, divine condemnation will not be removed. Only in Christ is God’s wrath appeased, and only those who are covered by His blood are saved from eternal punishment.
Consider the implications of judgment and praise God for giving His Son. Through Him we escape His wrath and receive life.
What will happen to you if you do not believe the testimony of Scripture concerning Christ, if you do not have faith in Christ as the only way to life, and if you do not follow His ways? Pray for an opportunity to warn an unbeliever about God’s wrath and to tell him or her the Good News of Christ. Memorize John 3:36.
