" Verily, Verily . . . "

 

John 5:24  "Verily, verily (or Truly, truly), I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

     Do you know that a person can be almost saved, yet entirely lost, like King Agrippa of old: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28 pictured above) ? He may have spoken that statement harshly, jokingly, sarcastically, or seriously. Regardless of the attitude that brought about his response, Agrippa heard the message of salvation from the Apostle Paul's mouth and had the opportunity that anyone has -- to believe.

     Today's text is a wonderful statement JESUS made bearing out this truth of opportunity that is open to all:  "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears MY WORD, and believes on HIM that sent ME, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (v.24). When a verse begins with a double "verily," you need to watch for a great packet of truth; all such verses are in John's Gospel. On 25 occasions, JESUS used this solemn form of address, as though HE were saying, PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ! What I am about to say is important !

    We find three very precious truths presented in this verse:

1)  The believer has a new possession -- everlasting life. This is not just eternal existence but the life of GOD with eternal blessedness (John 3:16).

2)  The Christian has a new provision -- "shall not come into condemnation [judgment]." Why ? It is because the judgment has passed judicially: JESUS dealt with our sins on the cross.

3)  The child of GOD has a new position -- "passed from death unto life." For we who have believed, GOD  "delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of HIS dear SON" (Colossians 1:13 pictured above). The saint is justified in the person of his SUBSTITUTE:  the risen CHRIST. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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