“Those who believe in him are not condemned,” Jesus says in today’s gospel of John. Immediately after this statement, Jesus continues, “but those who do not believe are condemned already.” These two statements need qualification.
First, what does it mean to believe in the Son of God? Satan recognizes Him, although he hates Him. To believe in the Son of God is much more than to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. As Jesus explains in the same passage, those who believe in the Son do things in God and in his light. In other words, those who believe in Christ keep the commandments of God and stay in the state of grace.
Second, when Jesus says the believers are not condemned, does he mean they have already been saved? The Church has been teaching otherwise. Indeed, those, who do the will of God and stay in the sanctifying grace, are not condemned at the moment. But that does not mean their salvation is guaranteed.
Third, those Jesus calls “condemned already” are not necessarily deprived of any hope, either. Those who choose to remain in sins choose condemnation for themselves. However, when they turn away from sins and ask for God’s forgiveness, they may hope for salvation.
Now, some people may presume that they can ask for salvation at any time since God is merciful. They think, ‘I can enjoy a sinful life as much as I want for now. Later, I will say to God, ‘I am sorry,’ and He will forgive me. Then, I will enter heaven.’ This plan might work if God could not see and hear the human heart. But He knows our hearts. If someone harbours this intention, does he have any love for God? Is not this intention diametrically opposing the love of God? Is not it blasphemy against God’s love?
In our times, Christians tend to be overconfident of salvation. The presumption of God’s mercy deprives Christians of true conversion from sins. I do not want to stir up anxiety about one’s salvation. However, I would rather become anxious about my salvation than fall into a false sense of security. I trust in Jesus and his mercy. But I do not trust my human heart, which too often betrays me.
