Believe and Obey

John 3:31-36

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Notes

John the Baptist made it clear to his disciples that Christ must increase, and he must decrease. He hinted that it was meant to be, then John revealed a powerful truth. Jesus is above all because He came from above, and the Father gave Him all. So, there is no competition. The Lord Jesus is unlike any human. The ultimate truth is, He is divine.

1. Above all

   John the Baptist explained that the Lord Jesus, who comes from heaven, is above all. Then he contrasted all who are of the earth, and those of the earth speaks in an earthly way because of their limited perspective.

   
   31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. (John 3:31-32).
   
   
   

2. God is true

   The writer explained that those who receive His testimony believe God is true. This is because God sent His Son to speak His words, and He gave the Spirit to Christ in an unlimited way. Therefore, by believing in Jesus, one believes in the Father.
   
   33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure (John 3:33-34).
   
   
   
   

3. Eternal life and the wrath of God

   The writer stated that the Father loves the Son and gave all things to the Son. Therefore, all who believe in the Son have eternal life, but those who do not obey the Son shall not see life. Therefore, the wrath of God is still upon such a person.

   
   35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:35-36).
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Understand why

   John the Baptist said that Christ must increase and he must decrease; the Baptist gave an apparent reason. Christ is from above, and He is above all. Humans speak of earthly things, but Christ speaks of the Father. Thus, we understand why we should decrease because He is above all.

   
   
   

2. Believe in who Jesus is

   The Father sent Christ, and Christ speaks the Father’s words. Therefore, if we believe in Christ, we believe in the Father. Thus, we must pay close attention to the words of Christ because those words are from the Father.
   
   

3. Believe and obey

   Those who believe in the Son whom the Father loves have eternal life. Therefore, we believe in the Son, whom the Father gave all things. If we believe, then we will also obey Him. Those who believe will obey.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Connect key portions of the text to the prologue.

2. Explain the connection between believing and obeying.

3. Explain “the wrath of God remains on him” with previous texts.