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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Whoever believes... has eternal life

Whoever believes... has eternal life

Published Apr 19, 2023 04:00 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Eternal life (Greek aionios zoē) appears frequently in John. It means that death is not the final word; eternal life awaits people beyond this earthly life. It is a life of happiness with God. But with Jesus, eternal life begins to be a reality in this life. Jesus has the words of eternal life; one possesses eternal life through faith in him (20:31). One obtains eternal life by keeping the commandments of God. One must be ready to lose one’s natural life to preserve one’s soul for eternal life (12:25). On the other hand, the wrath of God that will come upon those who do not believe in Jesus is not to be equated with the spiteful anger of a deity who withholds at will his love from his creatures. Rather, it is the judgment consequent to the rejection of God’s love, a gift which is manifested in the sending of his Son into the world. A gift is not a gift unless it is freely accepted. Since the gift that God offers us is eternal life, its rejection can only mean a judgment and a loss of life. It is not God who passes that judgment on humankind. Rather, men and women pass judgment on themselves. They choose darkness and death through their willful unbelief. And before such a rejection by the creatures to whom God has given free will, even the Creator stands “helpless.” Gospel • John 3:31-36 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him. Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).

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