Chapter Four

Damnation of the First Man

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He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey(6) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36).

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We have seen obedience, or the lack thereof, in the downfall of mankind. It can easily be seen that man's failure to hear under will be the cause of his eternal damnation and separation from God.

The words "believeth not" in the King James Version of John 3:36 are better translated, "do not obey." The word is the one we saw earlier for disobedience (Apeitheo). This word means a refusal to be persuaded, or convinced. The thought of a refusal to hear under can be seen.

This verse, quoted above, clearly states that those who refuse to own the Lordship of the Son by their refusal to "hear under" Him, shall not see life, but the wrath (a steady condition of anger) of God abides on him. It is impossible to know Christ as Savior and not as Lord! In order to know Him as personal Savior, one must hear under and thus own His authority. This does not mean that He must be Lord of all aspects of my practical life before I know Him as Savior. It does mean I must own Him as Lord before He can become my Savior. Once an individual recognizes the Person of Christ, then the words and work of Christ become meaningful. As the Apostles did, so we also should stress the Person of Christ when dealing with the unsaved.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this same Jesus whom you crucified (Acts 2:36).

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Rom. 10:9).

Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1).

Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:15-16).

Other references also clearly point out man's ultimate doom to be the result of his disobedience.

What will be the outcome for those who do not obey (6) the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17).

but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey(6) the truth, but obey(4) unrighteousness, wrath and indignation (Rom. 2:8).

dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey(2) the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thess. 1:6-9).

It is important to note that the above verses refer to disobedience in reference to the gospel. We often look at the gospel as an invitation, which it may be in some respects, but one does not disobey an invitation.

Therefore having overlooked the time of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent (Acts 17:30).

The word for "declaring" in the above reference has the thought of "charge" or "command" in the original Greek. God is not inviting men to repent, He is charging them to do so! Why repentance? Repentance is a change of attitude. Isn't that what man needs?

Man's refusal to repent and obey the gospel of God is disobedience. Man will not accept the Way of salvation as determined by God's infinite wisdom. He goes about in his own wisdom attempting to establish his own righteousness. Has the reader elevated himself to a position of self-righteousness, and hence does not agree with God's evaluation of him as a sinner (self-glorifier)? If so, may God grant you the sight to see yourself for what you really are and your need to accept God's Way of salvation.

SUMMARY

Man's refusal to be subordinate to God and to His wisdom (Christ, 1 Cor. 1:30) and authority will result in his eternal destruction and separation from Him.

Stephen J. Hulshizer

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