John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
This verse has always had a special place in my life, since through its truth I was saved. This verse divides into two parts, with the center of the verse being the Son. We have the promise of wrath abated and the peril of wrath abiding. The difference is determined by what is done with the person, the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
The promise is simple and plain: “He that believeth on the Son hath I like that word “hath,” since there is no ambiguity in it. It leaves no room for self worth or works. It is not only a present possession, but denotes a salvation that will last for all eternity. The simplicity of the verse is that one comes into the good of it by belief in Christ. Thus, the key word is “believeth.” Notice, it is not how or what one believes that counts, but on whom he believes, and that is the Son.
The linchpin of the verse is the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who came from heaven to occupy a lowly place on earth. We know that while here, He lived a sinless life. The Bible states that He could not sin, He did not sin, and that in Him there is no sin. Yet amazingly we read that this same One became sin for us, died for us, bore our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Pet 2:22, 2 Cor 5:21, 1 John 3:5). It is not only on the basis of His sinless nature, but His work on the cross of Calvary that we can boldly proclaim, “He that believeth on the SON hath everlasting life.”
But, this verse also refers to the peril of an abiding wrath. The warning is clear. Not only does the unbeliever miss eternal life, but the wrath of God abides over his head like a tremendous storm about to break. I am reminded of the great hurricane that suddenly and without warning struck New England in 1938, wreaking death and destruction. Since there was no hurricane warning given, many took no refuge on that tragic day, but went ahead with their daily plans, unaware that this would prove to be the last day of their lives.
Dear unsaved reader, God clearly warns of impending, divine judgment that will befall you. Your sins, which have come between you and God, are taking you down to a lost eternity. But God has provided a means of escaping the awful storm of His righteous wrath. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to bear upon Himself the wrath of your sins. Unlike those many in the Hurricane of 1938, you have been given ample warning. Listen as He pleads with you. “Because there is wrath, beware lest He take thee away with His stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee” (Job 36:18). Remember the peril of the wrath abiding on you, and flee to the Savior for safety. Believe on Him and you will be saved.
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”(Acts 16:31).
