From death to life.
| 24 "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. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. (John5:24-25) |
"It's urgent that you listen carefully to this!"
What is the news? What is it that we need to hear?
That faith in the sending power of God – believing that He sent Jesus because He loves us enables us to cross from death to life.
We are told in Scripture that without Christ we are spiritually dead: Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says
"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…"
When we as mankind chose our own way rather than the way of the Father, we were cut off from the source of life. Before Christ we were a little bit like chickens without heads – running around, not even aware that we are dead, mimicking life-likeness but spiritually without breath or hope.
Ephesians 2:4 concludes that sentence though saying:
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
The moment we believe and trust in the mercy and grace of God – we cross over. Breath is breathed into our nostrils once again – God's eternal Spirit takes up residence inside us and gives us life – eternal life – abundant life.
Jesus demonstrates his power over death as he raises Jairus' daughter "Little girl I tell you get up!" "Talitha koum!" and with his friend Lazarus – "Lazarus, come out!" and with the widow's son, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"
They hear His voice and live.
We too have heard his voice call us, and so we live.
Three ways to respond to this glorious truth:
- If you have yet to respond to the voice of Christ – if you have heard him calling you, respond! Believe! Cross over to Life!
- Know that our salvation is secure. We have the assurance that we are no longer condemned and no longer dead the moment we trust in a God who reached out to us through his Son Jesus.
- Rejoice in the GOOD NEWS! We have life – life that is lived in the presence and power of the Spirit of God – life that is eternal!
Amen and amen!
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Jackie Barker is a minister serving Emmanuel Presbyterian in Pretoria East. Loves being married to Tim and enjoys being Mom to gorgeous toddler Christine.
