Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
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.
By this time in John 3, Nicodemus seems to have disappeared from the conversation, but the Lord's teaching about Baptism continues as he reminds us of the cost of discipleship. We must believe in and obey the Son who has eternal life. He also assures us, by his word, his example, and his resurrection, that the Father "does not ration his gift of the Spirit."
Hearing the stories of martyrs in the Book of Maccabees and the Acts of the Apostles; and reading the epistle's exhortations to those who have lost property, privilege, and loved ones because of their faith; we naturally wonder if we would have such courage. We suppose that, "...even for the love of God, I am not sure I would do that. I think I probably would not!"
We can, however, prepare for that Day and pray that we are not led into that temptation. Saint Peter's denial of Jesus was well-documented in all four Gospels, but we should notice he and John followed the Lord even into the high priest's courtyard. Perhaps the Holy Spirit brought him that far and left him there to experience his own weakness. The other disciples, who had also sworn they would never abandon the Lord, did not get even that far.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
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.
