"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT PASSING FROM DEATH INTO LIFE"
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
This verse was spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ. This entire 5th chapter is filled with many things Jesus said about who He was, and why He came to the earth, and what would happen in the future. This particular verse has to do with a number of very specific and most important truths. Let's look at them carefully.
1. God's Word can be heard. John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word. Or to put it another way, for those who listen to the message of Jesus Christ. Listening to God is really a choice that a person makes. A person can choose to listen, or not to listen. It's really up to them. The fact is, that God's Word can be heard, and if a person wants to hear it, they will definitely hear it. Here's what Jesus said in Mark 7:16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” God is speaking and He wants people to listen to Him.
2. God's Word can be believed. Just as hearing is a choice we make, either to hear or not, so is believing. Here Jesus is talking about the fact that when God speaks a person can believe in the Father who sent Jesus. John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me.
Jesus was sent by the Father into this world to deliver the message of God to mankind. And, that message is to believe in God. Here's another way that Jesus put it. John 12:44 Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. So, God's Word can be believed.
3. God gives everlasting life to those who believe His Word. This is of course what God wants man to have, and that is "everlasting life" by believing or having faith in God through Jesus Christ. What is everlasting life?
First of all, it is not just referencing the fact that now by believing in God you will live forever. No, it's not that.
The fact is, that all men are going to live forever beyond the grave. But to have everlasting life, means you will live forever with God in heaven. The phrase "everlasting life" means that when you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, and receive Him as Your Savior, You come into union with God through Jesus, and you come into communion with God through Jesus Christ. It means that you come into a relationship with God. John 17:3 and this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
4. God's Word believed, means you will not come into judgement. Here is another blessing, it's one of the greatest blessings a person can have. When you believe in Jesus Christ, and receive everlasting life, ( coming into a relationship with God ) You will not come into judgement. The judgement spoken of here is the great white throne judgement for sinners. Here are some verses that give us a lot of detail about this judgement.
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
Rev 20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.
Rev 20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
What Jesus was saying is this. “I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins. Isn't that wonderful?
5. God's Word believed means you have passed from death into life. This is another way of explaining what happens to the person who listens to Jesus, and believes the words of Jesus. They not only have everlasting life, but, they also pass from death into life. John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
In the Bible, sinners are spoken of as being dead in their sins. And, for those who come to faith, they are as we have seen said to have life. Believing in Jesus, is like walking over the bridge from death to life. And, Jesus is that bridge. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Some questions to ponder:
1. When did you hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, and when did you believe in Him?.
2. Do you recognize and have the assurance that you now have everlasting life?
3. Have you come to understand that You are no longer dead in Your sins, but You have passed into life?
4. Do you know that You are not headed for the great white throne Judgement because You have believed?
5. How has this verse spoken to you today? How has it affected you?
6. Will you pause to consider for a moment where you are not going because you have believed, and what you have now because you have believed?
A prayer:
Father thank You for sending Jesus into this world to die for our sins. And, thank You for giving us faith to believe in Him. Thank You for giving us everlasting life, that relationship and union with You. Thank You Lord that by believing in Jesus we have literally passed from death into life. Praise God. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
