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)

Belief And Unbelief

John the Baptist was clear about his role in preparing the way for the Christ. Some of his disciples came to him complaining the multitudes were flocking to Jesus rather than John. It could have been an opportunity for John to exalt himself among the people, but he reminded them he knew the purpose of his work. He clearly stated he was not the Christ as some might have assumed. His role was to go before the Christ, preparing the way. As the role of the Christ increased, the work of John decreased. The ministry of Jesus was less than three years, and the work of John was much less but needful. John sought to magnify the will of the Father through Jesus without accepting any glory for himself. Pride could lift up the hearts of some men to seek the praise of men. John wanted only to exalt the name of Jesus Christ as Savior.

The work of John was limited, and the work of Christ was unlimited. When John baptized the multitudes, he did not change the Law of Moses or seek to supersede its laws. Salvation for the Jew still came through obedience to the Law. John did not change that. His baptism was unto repentance to turn the hearts of the people toward the true way. Everything that John did would diminish when the work of Jesus was finished. At the death of Jesus, a new covenant was established whereby all men could be saved. That covenant was not established on John. The work of John the Baptist was critical. John taught salvation came through Jesus Christ.

When the disciples of John came to him complaining about those who were going to Jesus, he declared salvation was only in the Son. He taught those who believed in the Son had everlasting life. If a man refused to believe Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, he would not see life, but the wrath of God would be upon him. The gospel declares only two paths a man can walk: a belief that Jesus is the Christ; a denial Jesus is the Son of God. There is no other choice. Everlasting life will only be given to those who obey the will of the Father in believing Jesus is the Son of God. When Philip and the Ethiopian traveled down the road and the eunuch desired to be baptized, the evangelist told him he could be baptized if he believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Ethiopian responded and found everlasting life. This pattern of conversion is found throughout the story of the early church.

Belief and unbelief are the choices men make. There is no middle road. Either a man believes with all his heart Jesus is the Son of God and is willing to obey the commands of Christ, or he denies the teachings of Jesus. The consequence of unbelief is there is no everlasting life. A man who refuses to believe and obey the word of God will face the wrath of God. When the heart believes Jesus is the Son of God, obedience leads them to do all God has commanded. As a result of this pattern of belief, everlasting life is granted. The choice is limited. Anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life. Belief demands obedience. Unbelief requires nothing. You have two choices. One choice will bring happiness. The other will bring eternal misery. What will you choose?