ACC ~ John 3 v17

RESISTING THE PHYSICIAN’S HELP

AUGUSTINE: As far as it lies in the power of the physician, he has come to heal the sick. Whoever does not observe his orders destroys himself…. Why would he be called the Savior of the world unless he saves the world? TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 12.12. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:85**.

TWO ADVENTS:

PARDON AND JUDGMENT

CHRYSOSTOM: Many of the more careless sort, using the loving kindness of God to increase the magnitude of their sins and the excess of their disregard, speak in this way, saying: There is no hell, no future punishment. God forgives all our sins….

But let us remember that there are two advents of Christ, one past, the other to come. The first was not to judge but to pardon us. The second will be not to pardon but to judge us. It is of the first that he says, “I have not come to judge the world but to save the world.” But of the second he says, “When the Son shall come in the glory of his Father, he will set the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.” [1] And the sheep will go into life and the goats into eternal punishment…. But because he is merciful, for a time he pardons instead of judging. For if he had judged immediately, everyone would have been rushed into perdition, for “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” [2] Don’t you see the unspeakable surplus of his loving kindness? HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 28.1. [3]

[1] Mt 25:31, 33.

[2] Rom 3:23.

[3] NPNF 1 14:96-97**.