Eternal Life or God's Wrath? (John 3:31-36)

John the Baptist has more to say about the difference between Jesus and himself...

John 3:31-36 ³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. ³⁴ He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

There is a lot of theology wrapped up in these verses:

• Jesus is "the one" sent from God, but John is not 
• Jesus isn't just witnessing to what God has told him (as John is doing), but Jesus has had first hand experience.
• Jesus has been given authority (control) over all things - which John, despite his miracles, has not been given.
• But the biggest difference is: Following Jesus (not John) is the only way to have eternal life.  

But don't get "eternal life" and "going to heaven when you die" confused.  They are not the same thing.  Eternal life is a life lived in relationship with God - it starts in the here and now.  And John is saying that you can not have eternal life here and now unless you follow Jesus.  Instead, you will be living in God's wrath. Be careful again... because God's wrath is not God's fury - it is not God being vindictive.  God is never vindictive, although God does let us face the consequence of our sin.  God's wrath is what happens when we live without God.

You can almost tell who has eternal life - you can see it in them.  They glow.  They are beautiful inside and out, because the Spirit of God is living through them as they live to serve God and others.  And you can also almost tell who is living in God's wrath.  They are miserable living to serve self. 

John says that in order to have eternal life - one should trust that Jesus was who he said he was and obey him - it is what I sum up when I say: "Follow Jesus."