“He that believeth on the Son _hath __everlasting life_: and he that believeth not the Son _shall not see life_; but the wrath of _God abideth on him_” (John iii. 36).
“He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life” (John v. 24).
“He _that believeth on Him is not condemned_: but _he that believeth not is condemned already_, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John iii. 18).
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even _to them that believe on His name_” (John i. 12).
“I am the resurrection and the life: _he that believeth in Me_, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John xi. 25).
“_Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ_, _and thou shalt be saved_” (Acts xvi. 31).
In the two verses quoted above, John iii. 16, 17, God is declared to send His Son not to condemn, but to save the world.
Verse 18 divides mankind into two classes—those who _believe in Christ_, and those who _do not believe_. The former are _not condemned_, and if they abide in Him will go on to everlasting life. The latter “are _condemned already_” for their not believing. This condemnation is not necessarily a final state, for if they “abide not in unbelief,” but turn to Christ in repentance and faith, they will be brought into His covenant of grace and salvation. But if otherwise, when God’s longsuffering patience has exhausted the pleadings, warnings, and wooings of the Spirit without response, a time must come when the word will go forth, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man;” and that state of condemnation become an abiding one, agreeably to Rom. ii. 4–10.
“Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath, against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds:—To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil . . . but glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good” (Rom. ii. 4–10).