Articles
Passing from Death Into Life
Life, that is what everyone wants. We are made for life, not death. We are made for life, not destruction. It is amazing to see one struggling with a life-threatening disease and how hard that one fights for life. The body is fearfully and wonderfully made. Even in the most dire of circumstances the body fights to live. Yet, for all the struggle, the body dies.
Life is that for which mankind seeks and fights. Good news! God has provided spiritual life for man. Man does not to have to die eternally. “Most assuredly, I say unto 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).
John says we can know we have passed from death into life. First, the one who hears My word. John further says, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God, therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes unto me” (John 6:45). Essential to everlasting life is hearing what God says. Notice, John did not say, “If you feel like it.” He did not say, “If your parents tell you.” He said “He who hears My word.” Hearing relates to understanding. If our understanding is not converted, coming to the Father is impossible.
Next John said, “He who hears and believes.” Believing is a choice, not a feeling. Believing is not blind gullibility. It is choosing to accept the information heard as true. Believing relates to the thinking. If man understands and converts his thinking he can have everlasting life. Also, believing produces response by man. “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). It is in believing that a man’s thinking is converted. It is in baptism man’s relationship to God is converted.
Further, John emphasizes “He who hears and believes in Him who sent me.” It is not hearing just anything and believing in anyone. It is hearing what is said and believing what is heard about the Father. Essential to everlasting life is correct information about the Father and who the Father sent, His son. The Father sent His only begotten Son so that man would have a sacrifice for His sins. Through the Son comes life.
So when we hear God’s message about His son and choose to believe in Him John says, we can know we have passed from (spiritual) death into (spiritual) life. We can know we have life.
Rickie
