John 3:16 might be the most recognized verse in the Bible: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

But do you remember how John rephrased the big idea a few lines later? 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 3:36).

The same beautiful thought infuses both lines—believe in the Son for eternal life.

But the second phrase reminds us that obedience matters. Belief leads to obedience. Graciously, perfection is not required. I often fall far short of God’s ideals, but God wants me to attempt—in a serious way—to follow him.

If I claim belief in Jesus, but reject, or even neglect, the moral teachings of scripture, then my faith stands as a facade. In this state faith consists merely of hopes for the best, vague wishes flitting about in the ether.

Jesus affirmed and upheld the teachings of the Hebrew scriptures. When I choose to like some verses and toss out others, I underscore the vanity and shallowness of my faith. John reminds me that the words of God come packaged, all there for me to wrestle with as a follower of Jesus.

Faith and obedience. Like two sides of a coin, I cannot separate them and hope to see life eternal.

John 3 in week forty-three of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Saikat Das