Thursday of the Second Week of Easter - A Belief that Transforms

About this episode

This episode discusses the transformative power of belief in the Son and the consequences of disobedience to God.

Read Online “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.” John 3:35–36 A holy fear, one of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, begins with a fear of punishment. We should foster within our minds and hearts a healthy fear of experiencing the “wrath of God.” God’s holy wrath is not an emotional reaction to those who reject Him but rather the necessary consequence of disobeying Him and refusing to receive and foster the transforming gift of faith. God’s wrath is His pure justice. He respects our freedom and will not impose Himself upon us. God will not force the gift of eternal life upon those who reject it by rejecting the means of obtaining it. What is the means of obtaining eternal life? Believing in the Son. In biblical terms, believing is much more than intellectual assent. Even the demons believe in God intellectually. Their belief, however, lacks the spiritual gift of faith, which is what today’s Gospel addresses. Faith in God involves listening to Him, understanding His Word, and responding positively in our daily actions. It…

Topics covered

• faith
• eternal life
• God's wrath
• Holy Spirit
• belief

Keywords

• John 3:35-36
• holy fear
• Gifts of the Holy Spirit
• spiritual gift of faith

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Gospel

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