Throughout scripture by way of God’s prophets and writers, he has instructed humanity how to live and how not to live.

God has given us warnings of the consequences to those of us who reject his ways and choose to live our lives apart from his instructions. I like the wording in Ezekiel 5:17 in the easy-to-read version, where through the prophet God says, “I the Lord told you all these things would happen.”

In this case, the children of Israel were experiencing the wrath of God because of their refusal to obey his commands. In John 3:36, Jesus warns us about the consequences of choosing not to believe or follow him. It states, “Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

I am so thankful there is always good news that comes from God’s word. God also gives promises to those of us who choose to live our lives according to his instructions.

Let’s look back in Ezekiel where God promised his blessings on those who would obey him. He says in chapter 36:25-28 things like, “I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you, I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws, and you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.”

Back to John 3:36, Jesus promises us that, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.”

The good news is we get to choose how we will live and whether or not we will experience God’s wrath or his blessings.