Eternal Life - A Bible Study on John 5:24

BIBLE STUDY

Eternal Life

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Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

It is important to notice what Jesus is telling us in this verse of Scripture. We are to (1) hear His word (2) believe on Him that sent Him (3) if we do we will have everlasting life (4) we will not come into condemnation (5) we will pass from death unto life.

This gives rise to the questions: How do you hear His word? How do you believe? What is everlasting life? What is condemnation? What is death?

And what about this? Jesus said if we do this we would have "passed from death unto life"! Don't you have to be alive to hear? To believe? How can you be dead and hear and believe and go from death to life? Could it be that "death" is something more than what we usually associate with dying?

In Gen. 2:17 the Lord told Adam not to eat of the fruit of the tree. God specifically told him that if he did, "in the day" he ate of it he would die! Adam and Eve went ahead and ate the fruit as you know. Did they die "in the day" they ate of it as God had told them they would? They continued to live for many years afterwards! Was God a liar? NO!! In the day they ate of it they were separated from God's will, God's love and God's care. He did not cast them off. They chose to go outside of God. To do their own thing. So "death" is -first of all - existence apart from God, from His will, from His love and protection. They "lived" for many more years, the walking dead.

Ephesians chapter 2 tells us that God makes alive those who are "dead in trespasses and sins". Those who live in sins are energized by the devil and are called the "children of disobedience". We all lived that way, living according to what our desires wanted, and were by nature the "children of wrath". That is, those who choose to live in sin choose wrath instead of love. If they get it, it is their own fault, for God has provided the way of escape from wrath. If however, they choose the Lord's way, God, "who is rich in mercy" will show that mercy to them and give them LIFE!"

So "everlasting life" is more than just "living forever". It is a type or quality of existence. The wicked will continue to exist forever. However, their existence cannot be called "life".

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming in which all that in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:28-29

There are going to be two resurrections. One of the good and one of the evil. Both will continue to exist forever, one in life and one in death, called the "second death" in the Book of the Revelation. It is not a pretty picture.

Those who have everlasting life will not come into condemnation. Just what is "condemnation"? First let me tell you what it is not: It is not shame. It is not embarrassment. It is not being told how bad you are. It is not feeling depressed when you know you have failed.

The word "condemnation" literally means "to pass judgment upon" or "to sentence". If you have ever been before a judge and heard him say "Guilty! Thirty days in jail!" you know what it is. You are then the "Condemned". Condemnation is Judgment. Those who have everlasting life will not come into judgment. They will not be declared guilty. They will not have a sentence passed on them or be convicted of wrongdoing. Why? BECAUSE JESUS WAS ALREADY JUDGED IN THEIR PLACE! He was tried and convicted in our place. We should have been there, 'cuz we ARE guilty! But He took our place, took our punishment, was tried, convicted, sentenced and sentence was carried out. AND THERE IS NO DOUBLE JEOPARDY. Those who believe on the Lord Jesus as Savior have passed from death unto life.

Romans chapter 8 Legal Standing of those who believe in Jesus:

:31 If God is for us who can be against us? NO ONE! :33 ..it is God who has declared us NOT GUILTY! :34 Who is going to try and convict us? NO ONE! God has already declared us to be NOT GUILTY!

How does this Happen?

1. Hear Jesus' word. 2. Believe on Him that sent Him.

HEAR HIS WORD: this has 2 applications.

(a) If you can hear His word it is proof you are a believer. John 8:47 "He that is of God hears Gods words" John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice" John 18:37 "...everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.."

Hearing Him is PROOF that you know Him and He knows you!

(b) If you CHOOSE to hear Him today you will become a believer and have everlasting life. Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door......." YOU must CHOOSE to open the door to Him. When you do, you will be able to believe because He will give you the ability to believe Him.

Romans 1017 "..so then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.."

Choose to hear! Yield to Him. Tell Him now - "Jesus, I choose to hear You. I ask you to forgive me my sins, I receive you as Savior and confess you as Lord. Help me to hear You."

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent."
John 17:2