“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:24
February 20, 2023
The thought of future judgment when standing before a holy God could be horrifying. Is it possible to have assurance of one’s salvation? Before we die, is it possible to know we will go to heaven? Jesus made astounding claims about Himself. With His critics before Him, He claimed that all will have to face the Son of God as Judge. This rattled the theological cages of the religious leaders who believed that only God the Father is the Judge of all men. Jesus’ theology was perfect. He threw open the door of invitation; All who believe in the One who sent Christ will believe in Christ. The assurance is given that there is no judgment of condemnation if the sinner places his trust in Jesus Christ. There is the judgment seat of Christ before which all believers will stand for the determination of rewards (Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10). But this is not the judgment of which Jesus is speaking in John 5:24. Eternal life is ours for the asking. It is an immediate possession and nothing can take it from us. We need not fear the last judgment. As the sun sets and the sun rises the believer can rejoice in their security in Christ. We have God’s Word on that.
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“Faith goes out of itself, clings to Christ, and embraces Him as its own possession; faith is certain that it is loved by God for His sake.” Martin Luther