Our New Address in Life
John 5:22-35; Psalm 113
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
(JOHN 5:24)
If asked, the average man or woman on the street probably would never consider themselves bad or guilty, much less "condemned," but that is what the Bible declares anyone to be who does not believe in Jesus as Savior. Such wrong thinking reveals a misunderstanding about God and about themselves. Jesus here begins with the words, "I tell you the truth." He reminds us of our spiritual address. I have moved six times since 2004, so I sometimes get confused when asked on a form to provide my current address. But Jesus makes it clear where my home is.
Apart from God, we are all condemned - destined for God's judgment because of our sin. Yet He tells us more truth: There is hope. His words bring life; moreover, it is eternal life. When we believe the Gospel, we cross over - move - to a new place. A spiritual change of address happens. God moves us from condemnation and death, to pardon and life. Like moving out of a home we no longer own, our move is immediate and permanent. Nothing and no one can move us back.
INSIGHT
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A PILGRIMAGE. WE ARE ON THE WAY TO OUR FINAL HOME-FOREVER WITH THE LORD. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Ecclesiastes 9-10
Psalm 67
John 7
John 5:22-35
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, 23 so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
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.[a] 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.
Witnesses to Jesus
31 “If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. 32 But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true. 33 In fact, you sent investigators to listen to John the Baptist, and his testimony about me was true. 34 Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved. 35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.
Footnotes:
a. John 5:27 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
Psalm 113
1 Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
6 who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
8 he seats them with princes,
with the princes of their people.
9 He settles the barren woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 113:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9
KEEPING FAITH IN A GODLESS WORLD [PART 3]
In today's world, it is easy to lose sight of God and replace Him with idols. But what can we do to keep this from happening? And what does this have to do with circumcision of the heart?
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