22010.076.83 Two Options

“The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.”
—John 3:35-36

John penned similar words in 1 John:

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.”
—1 John 5:11-12

The vital principle animating living beings, the very life-force itself, is given eternally to those who believe in the Son! Conversely, those who reject Jesus through unbelief continue to remain under God’s just wrath. The conclusion of the matter appears to be quite clear: We are given two options–believe in the Son or reject the Son. Eternal life or eternal wrath–the choice is ours. Jesus is the object of faith, He is the source of our abundance and joy here and now and eternally.

I am reminded of God’s words regarding His Son to the gathered crowd at the baptism of our Savior:

“After Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my one dear Son; in him I take great delight.”
Matthew 3:16-17

Not only is God the Son loved by God the Father, God has given Jesus all authority and supremacy. He has been given first place over all creation. He is the preeminent Logos, humbling Himself by becoming flesh and exalted by God to the highest. Paul tells us in Colossians:

“He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.”
—Colossians 1:18

We are also told in Philippians:

“As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
—Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus’ constant mantra while His feet walked this dusty earth was “Believe”: Believe my Word. Believe my miracles. Believe I AM in the Father and the Father is in Me. Believe I do only my Father’s will. Believe I came from God. Believe I came to seek and to save the lost. Believe! Believe! Believe!

Take It to Heart

The personal relationship each one of us has with Jesus is the source of our joy. He has saved our lives, blotting out our sins and bringing us eternal life!

“Hast thou, O my soul, felt the weight of thy own guilt and misery, and been enabled, in reality and truth, to lay hold by faith of the blood of Christ for thy redemption, and faithfully to devote thyself to him in heart and life? Then hast thou a sure foundation to go upon:  let it be thy constant care firmly to depend upon these and such like blessed declarations; look to Jesus for every blessing thou standest in need of. Has Christ brought life and immortality to light? Then look unto him and live. Is there redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins? Then throw all thy guilt upon his atonement. Has he blotted out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against thee? Then shake off self-righteous dependences, and legal fears also. Did he die for thy sins? Then let his goodness and love lead thee to unfeigned repentance; let the sense of thy sins break thine heart, but encourage thy hope in the gospel.” -K.H. Von Bogatzky

Further Reflections

“Before Jesus invades our lives, our hearts are under enemy occupation; but on our own personal Decision-Day, we receive Him as our Savior, and we’re justified! A process of sanctification then begins as our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors increasingly come under His control and we grow in the victorious Christian life. Satan fights for every inch of territory, and we find ourselves in constant war with the world, the flesh, and the devil–but the victory of Jesus is unstoppable, and we are more than conquerors as we increasingly worship Him with all our hearts.”
—Robert J. Morgan

“For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
—John 3:16

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