John 5:24 - Eternal Life Now.
John 5:24 - Eternal Life Now.
John 5:24 (NKJV) "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.
John 5:24 (NIV) "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 (AMP) I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the
person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and
believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has
(possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not
incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he
has already passed over out of death into life.
Everlasting life; This declaration is more than a promise of
eternal life to come; it is an assurance that the believer now and here
may begin to enjoy life that is eternal in quality, because he is
united spiritually with His Lord, whose life He shares. "The Spirit of
God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life
eternal" (DA 388). [SDA Bible Commentary]
"Eternal life" - living forever with God - begins when you
accept Jesus Christ as Savior. At that moment, new life begins in you
(2 Cor. 5:17). It is a completed transaction. You still will face
physical death, but when Christ returns again, your body will be
resurrected to live forever (1 Cor. 15). [Life Application SB]
Eternal life is more than endless. It has a unique quality and
character all its own. Eternal life is God's own life, infused with His
vitality and moral character, given to us through spiritual birth. Those
with this life can have fellowship with God and with other believers,
for we are linked to Him and one another by eternal bonds. [Victor
Bible Reader's Companion]
The New Testament teaching is not that everyone has eternal
life, but that those who come to God through Jesus Christ are given
eternal life as a gift. Many passages contain this teaching; it is not
found in only one or two texts. The new birth, being "born of the
Spirit," is to have the life of God given to us. Not all are born of the
Spirit. The Scripture rejects the idea that everybody has a spark of
deity within. In fact, the Bible says that man, in his natural
condition, is "dead to god" and that rebirth, an action of the Holy Spirit,
is required to plant the life of God. That's what's meant by
eternal life. We don't begin eternal life when we die; we begin it
while we still live. Eternity begins with belief in Christ. [Terry
Fullam; Time with God devotional SB]
CLOSING THOUGHT
If we really believe in Christ, we will be living for Him. A
beautiful sermon that conveys this thought can be found here:
We Not Me by Ivan Blake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rb_fYyw2Cs0&feature=youtu.be
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2001/20011210-0000.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20061214-0741.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Video Clip: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657