“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 5:2424Verily, 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).
Now let us look at the illustration above. Yonder on the distant shore is the dark region of DEATH; here on this side is the bright and beautiful land of LIFE. We all stand by nature in the land of death, for as we read in Roman 5: 12: “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” Judgment and a dark eternity will be the doom of all who remain there.
But, thank God, there is a way of escape provided, a way right across to the other side where life, light and glory are the happy portion of all who make the passage. There are just five steps in it, on five wonderful stepping stones firmly laid, so that no flood can sweep them from their places. Tens of thousands have placed their feet on these stepping stones and gone safely across. Not one of those stones have ever moved.
The first is “HEARETH.” “He that heareth My word.” It is not praying, working, or trying, but “hearing.” God says, “Hear, and your soul shall live.” Isa. 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3). Have you heard? Do you hear the word of Jesus? How many have heard that word “Come,” (Matt. 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)), and “It is finished” (John 19: 30.)?
“HATH everlasting life,” is the portion of those that believe. Yes, that is a big strong stone. Here is a boy who has reached it. He is beckoning to his little sister to follow. She is a bit afraid, like some we know, who say “they believe,” but are afraid to step out on “hath everlasting life.” They need not be afraid, for God’s Word is sure.
Then for the future, “SHALL NOT come into condemnation”; no, never, but “IS passed from death unto life” — right across into “the land of the living,” where there is the “more abundant life” — where they sing,
Death and judgment are behind us,
Grace and glory are before.
Who will make this passage today?
It is open to all, and free.
Christ is the way. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
ML 08/27/1967