Eternal Life
Scripture: John 5:24-30 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)
24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. 25 “And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. 26 The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son. 27 And he has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man. 28 Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. 30 I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. (John 5:24–30 NLT)
Jesus continues his response to the Jewish leaders who are harassing him: “Those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life! They’ll never be condemned for their sins! They’ve already passed from death into life.”
I’m listening to Jesus’ message and I believe in God who sent him! Are you listening? Do you believe? What Good News to know that we have eternal life! What good news that we will never be condemned for our sins, but have already passed from death to life! Let that sink in for a moment… We have eternal life! We’ll never be condemned for our sins! We’ve already passed from death to life!
Then this: “The Father has given Jesus Christ the power to grant eternal life because he is the Son of God. The Father has given Jesus Christ the authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man!” I’m glad Jesus has the authority to judge me!
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14–16 (NLT)
Prayer:
Father, Thank you for giving the authority to judge me to the one who loves me so much he was willing to die for me! Help me to love him enough to live for him! Amen!