The verse you quoted addresses two groups, each having a different state of being:
1. one who believes in the Son
- he has / holds / possesses a life that is eternal
- he will never perish Jn 3:15-16, Jn 10:28
- he does not come into judgement Jn 5:24
- he has pased out from death into Life Jn 5:24
- he has perceived the glory of God Jn 11:40
- God's wrath no longer abides on him because he is in Christ
- they perceive Christ who is the Life; a reasonable assumption having perceived the Son so as to believe in Him, the Life
2. one who does not obey (refuses to be persuaded by) the Son
- will not see / percieve life - he was never persuaded to believe in Christ, which excludes this one from having ever been saved because by default one has perceive the One in Whom he believed, one never having perceived the Son
- God's wrath abides on him - meaning remains on him, having always been under God's wrath, never out from under God's wrath, never saved
So, this verse can not be used to support the idea that someone saved can lose that salvation.
The condition for eternal life is obey,
which is what believe means.
Those who obey the Gospel, are given eternal life.
Those who obey for a while, then return to serving Satan, have return to unbelieving.
The unbelieving are promised eternal damnation.
Eternal life is for those who hear and obey.
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but
he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 NASB
Which is what John 5:24 says as well.
24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who
hears [
hearken to do] My word and
believes [
obeys] in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—
those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
- those who have done good to the resurrection of life
- those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
He leads us in the paths of righteousness, to love our neighbor and work righteousness, and to do what is good, not evil.
If you think that loving your neighbor, and walking according to the Spirit, and practicing righteousness, is somehow legalism, then please show the scriptures that prove this.
And this
commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
14 We know that we have passed from death to life,
because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 3:14-15
- Is it possible for a born again Christian's love to grow cold?
- Is it possible for a born again Christian to take an offense and become angry, and refuse to forgive?
Show me an example of a sheep who doesn't obey the voice of his Sheppard, and I will show you a sheep that is lost.
Surely you understand what "lost means"?
- Lost = Sinner who is need of repentance; dead to God, in need of salvation, reconciliation to God.
- Found = Someone is is reconciled to God; saved.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:7
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:10
It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:32
- This foundational truth can not be changed by quoting other scriptures.
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but
he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:36 NASB
- who believes [hears and obeys] in the Son has eternal life John 3:36
- he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36
- he who hears [hearkens to do] My word and believes [obeys] John 5:24
- those who have done good [hear and obey], to the resurrection of life John 5:29
- those who have done evil [disobedient], to the resurrection of condemnation. John 5:29
- eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good Romans 2:7
- those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath Romans 2:8
God who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
Romans 2:6-8
JLB