Question No.8
Jesus said:"He who believes in the son has eternal life; but
he who does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath
of God abides on him." (John 3:36); are you not under the wrath of
God for not being a follower of Christ - a Christian,
by belief?
Answer No.8
It is an interesting question. In fact, we Muslims should be asking
the question to you the followers of Christ. Do the vast majority
of Christians truthfully believe Christ for what he said he was,
and, truly understand his commands and obey them?
We believe, most of the followers who claim to be Christians do not
even understand the implications of calling their Leader or Lord;
"Christ". (The readers will understand what I mean by the last
sentence, once they go through the rest of the text).
Here is the answer to your question. The above verse has two parts.
`Belief' and `Obedience'.
On the subject of Belief in Christ, Jesus asked his disciples;
"But who do you say that I am? And Peter answered and said,
"The Christ of God." (Luke 9:20). Peter did not say God or a god.
We Muslims truly believe Jesus was "The Christ (al-Masih) of God".
The expression "The Christ of God" literally means;
"The one that was anointed by God himself".
Please go back in time and think.
God performed the ceremony of anointing (physically or spiritually)
and for that reason, Jesus became "The Christ of God".
Now may I please ask you a simple question. Who is greater and
exalted; the one who anointed, or, the one who got anointed?
Since God anointed Jesus, God is the greater and exalted between
the two, which we Muslims, do truly believe.
But surprisingly, the followers who say Jesus is "Christ", don't.
Hot Tip:
"...Thy holy Servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint,..."
(Acts 4:27 - New American Standard Bible).
This leaves no room for doubt that Jesus was a `Servant of God'.
Besides, there are other verses which declare Jesus; God's Servant.
Now let us go to the second part of the quoted verse; "obeying the
Christ". Please read the following verse and ask yourself a
question; have I obeyed?
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes Him
who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement,
but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24
Have I believed and placed my trust basically, fundamentally and
predominately in Him or in Jesus?
Hot Tip:
Jesus said; "But I do not seek my glory; there is One who seeks and
judges." John 8:51. Who is this "One", who is not Jesus?
Have you basically, essentially and fundamentally glorified the
"One" or Jesus?
Please remember, the "One" will be the Judge on the Day of
Judgement and not Jesus. If you disbelieve or disobey the above
word of Jesus please read the verse quoted by you and then think
about the "wrath of God".
Christianity FAQ 8 : Salvation Only in Being a Follower of Christ?