ACC ~ John 8 v24

BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WILL NOT DIE IN THEIR SINS

ORIGEN: Now, if the one who does not believe that Jesus is the Christ will die in his sins, it is clear that the one who does not die in his sins has believed in the Christ. But he who dies in his sins, even if he says that he believes in the Christ, has not believed in him so far as truth is concerned. And if faith is mentioned but it lacks works, such faith is dead. [1] … For one who believes in [Christ’s] justice does not do injustice. One who believes in his wisdom would not say or do anything foolish…. And if we collected the remaining attributes of Christ, we will easily discover that whoever does not believe in Christ will die in his sins because he comes to be the very opposite of what is seen in Christ. The sins themselves kill him. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 19.152, 155, 158. [2]

[1] Jas 2:17.

[2] FC 89:202-4**; SC 290:140-44.

BELIEVING VERSUS COMPREHENDING THE “I AM”

AUGUSTINE: What is this, “If you do not believe that I am”? “I am” what? There is nothing added. And because he added nothing… there is much implied in his only saying “I am,” for God had used the same words with Moses, “I am who am.” [1] Who can adequately express what that I AM means? [2] … For all excellence, whatever kind it is, if it is changeable, it does not truly exist. There is no true existence wherever nonexistence also has a place. For whatever can be changed, so far as it is changed, it is not what it was: if it is no longer what it was, a kind of death has therein taken place. Something that was there has been eliminated and exists no more…. For in all actions and movements of ours, yes, in every activity of the creature, I find two indications of time, the past and the future. I seek for the present, but nothing stands still. What I have said is no longer present. What I am going to say is not yet come. What I have done is no longer present. What I am going to do is not yet come. The life I have lived is no longer present. The life I have still to live is not yet come. Past and future I find in every creature-movement. I do not find either past or future in what is abiding. There I only find the unchangeable present that finds no place in the creature. Analyze the idea of mutability, and you will find was and will be: contemplate God, and you will find the is where was and will be cannot exist…. And so, by these words, “If you do not believe that I am,” I think our Lord meant nothing else than this, “If you do not believe that I am” God, “you shall die in your sins.” Well, God be thanked that he said, “If you do not believe” and did not say: If you do not comprehend. For who can comprehend this? TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 38.8, 10. [3]

[1] Ex 3:14.

[2] Augustine then rehearses the account of the burning bush on Mount Sinai and how even Moses perhaps could not even fully comprehend the phrase.

[3] NPNF 1 7:220-21**.