God’s fundamental attitude toward the world is love, because God is love(1 John 4:8).  God would have been justified in condemning the world for its sins.  But instead He sent His Son so that we might have eternal life rather than perish.  All who accept Jesus receive eternal life.  Those who reject Jesus are rejecting their only escape from eternal death.

God “gave” His only Son  in two senses: gave Him as a gift to us through the Word becoming flesh, and gave Him up to death for us on the cross.  That is the measure of God’s love for us.  God does not seek to condemn us, but to give us eternal life through His Son. Those who accept Jesus as God’s revelation receive eternal life; those who reject Jesus reject the eternal life He brings, and thereby condemn themselves to the death which is the fate of all those born of flesh alone.

Deciding for or against Jesus therefore has eternal consequences, but it also has consequences here and now.  Rejecting Jesus and His message is the way to eternal damnation.

God wants us to have eternal life with Him.  If we ask His help to accept Jesus and not reject His message, God will give us the grace we need to accomplish His holy will.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell