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Salvation for eternity

John 9:8-11, 30-41 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight…..The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Previously, we have looked at the occasion where the Lord Jesus gave sight to a man who had been born blind. We can well understand that the healing of this man brought much consternation to the people around about him. They simply couldn’t believe the change that had been wrought in the man’s life. He was questioned by them and this dear man was prepared to state the simple truth of what had happened to him and profess his appreciation of the one who had saved him. Despite this, the people, who had already rejected the Lord Jesus and His teaching, also rejected the testimony of this man who confessed his faith in Him. They cast the man out from them but we may observe that the Lord Jesus, who had dealt with the man’s initial need for sight, came to meet his need of ongoing care.

The gospel promises that everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is saved (Acts 16:31). This is something that happens to them in the very moment that they believe; they pass from death unto life (John 5:24). But this salvation goes beyond the moment of conversion. The life that Christ gives to those who trust Him is also eternal (Hebrews 5:9). The very same Saviour who died for us, that our sins might be forgiven, is alive for evermore that He might continue to keep all those who come to God through Him (Romans 5:6-10, Hebrews 7:24-25). This gives assurance to us, that despite our own failures, we will be kept eternally by the power of God.

The Lord Jesus asks the man if he believes on the Son of God. In response, the man asks the Lord Jesus who the Son of God is. The man’s question is different to the questions asked of the Lord Jesus, regarding His identity, in the previous chapter. This was not a question of unbelief but rather one motivated by faith and a desire to learn more about the person who had healed Him. We see that in the man’s question; he asked that he might believe. He had already recognised and accepted that it was the power of God that had been operative in his healing and now he wants to know more about the man who had healed him. The Lord Jesus grants the man’s request and answers his question, declaring that He is the Son of God. At the end of the last chapter, the Lord Jesus had clearly stated that He is God and we have considered before the response of those to whom that revelation was given. (John 8:18-19, 58-59). How different is this man’s response to those earlier! He accepted the claim that the others rejected and worshipped his Saviour. Today, and indeed in all days, there are many who scoff at the word of the Bible. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to many. It is a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. Yet to those who believe, the gospel is the power of God to salvation and their Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, is precious (1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24, 1 Peter 2:6-8, Romans 1:16). To this man born blind, the Lord Jesus Christ was the one who had opened his eyes and the one whom he worshipped. We see here a beautiful picture of the relationship those who are saved have with their Saviour. They may learn more of Him each day and worship Him as He dwells with them and unfolds more of His lovely character to their understanding (John 14:23, 26).

The Lord Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). The Lord Jesus has accomplished that goal and He is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). And yet, if the coming of the Lord Jesus into the world brought salvation, it has also brought about a great division between those who believe and those who do not; between those who, having been forgiven, now know the salvation of God and those whose sins remain. This is the ultimate and eternal defining factor; whether we have accepted Christ as our Saviour or whether we have rejected Him (John 3:16-17, 36). The man born blind believed and was healed but there were others there on that day who did not believe and were not saved. May we perceive clearly that salvation is available in Christ Jesus alone and believe on Him to the saving of our souls.

The Lord Jesus Christ can meet your need

John 8:58-9:7 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing

In past articles, we have been considering the words spoken by the Lord Jesus in the temple and as recorded by the apostle John in the eighth chapter of his gospel. The Lord Jesus had taught the people truthfully regarding their own need, as sinners, of salvation and of His ability, as the Son of God, to save them (John 8:7, 12, 21). He has given them promises and an example, in Abraham, of a man who had received the blessings of God by faith. As the chapter draws to a close, we observe that the Lord Jesus made one last attempt to teach His audience as to His person. He describes Himself as someone who existed before Abraham. Furthermore, He claims for His own a divine title, “I am” (Exodus 3:14). Earlier in the chapter, the people had asked the Lord Jesus who He was (John 8:25, 53) and the Lord Jesus states in unambiguous fashion that He is the Son of God.

Those that heard the Lord Jesus speak did not believe what He said (John 8:45). That unbelief led ultimately to their rejection, not just of the message, but also of the messenger, and they sought to silence Him by murder. However, they failed in this endeavour as the Lord Jesus went out through the midst of them and passed by. This was a sad end to this time of privilege that these people should have enjoyed. Thankfully, as we move into the next chapter, we may observe, in blessed contrast, a man who heard the words of the Lord Jesus and believed.

The first point we notice is that the Lord Jesus saw this blind man in his need. This reminds us that God sees us and knows all about us (Psalm 139:1-4, 1 John 3:20). The man had a problem; something that he had been born with. It was blindness. This reminds us that we have a problem; which is sin (Romans 3:23). It was not only the Lord Jesus who saw this man but His disciples did too. However, there was nothing that the disciples could do to help him. This reminds us that there is nothing any of us can do to save ourselves or each other when it comes to the problem of sin (Psalm 49:7-8). The disciples would speculate why the man was blind. The Lord Jesus would explain to them that it was an opportunity to demonstrate the power of God. The scriptures tell us that while we inherit a sinful nature following the failure of our first parents, Adam and Eve, and while we commit sins of our own, the salvation of sinners is to the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 5:12, 19, Ephesians 2:1-9)

If we can observe that the Lord Jesus knew the man’s need, we also see that Jesus came to where the man was in his need. We also know that God has come to where we are in order to bring about our salvation (Hebrews 2:14-17, Matthew 1:21-23). Next we can see that having come to the blind man that the Lord Jesus wastes no time in dealing with his problem. The Lord Jesus knew that there was only a limited timeframe in which the man could be healed. In the same way, sinners must recognise that we must be saved now for none of us know what is ahead of us. Our lives are short and we must trust in Christ while we have the opportunity (Isaiah 55:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2).

As we have already observed, there was no man other than the Lord Jesus who had been able to cure this man of his blindness. The power to heal was only found in the Lord Jesus and yet we see that in order for this man to be healed, he had to obey the command that the Lord Jesus had given Him. The man did this and we may observe what the result was from the simple, straightforward description given by John. He went. He washed. He saw.

For us today, in regards to the matter of our salvation, the truth of God is exactly the same. We cannot save ourselves but the good news of the gospel is that there is one who both can and will save those who trust in Him. There is one, and only one, who is fit to be the mediator between God and man and it is Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5-6). As the sinless, perfect man, He offered Himself as the sacrifice for the sins of others (Hebrews 7:26-27). As the eternal God, risen again from the dead, He lives to save those who trust in Him (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 5:10). That is why there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved and why no man can come to God but through Him (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). The command of God is given to us today, to accept His Son Jesus Christ as our Saviour (John 6:29). If we obey it, we will have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life (Romans 4:24, 10:9-13).

Future blessings for those who trust on Christ

John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

The teaching given by Lord Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem is now reaching its conclusion. The Lord Jesus had taught the people of Himself, of their need as sinners, and that He could meet that need (John 8:12, 24). They were in bondage to sin but the Lord promised to set them free (John 8:34-36). If they would remain in their sins, they would die and be cut off from God but the Lord Jesus had promised to give them eternal life (John 8:21, 51).

This is the promise of the gospel even today; that we can have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life (John 3:16). The assurance that we need not face the eternal punishment of God comes as a great relief to those who have trusted Christ. We can know that we are saved from the wrath through Him (Romans 5:9). This truly is something that is wonderful but the gospel is not limited to that alone. The Lord Jesus promised deliverance from sin and its consequences but He also spoke of what those who believed in Him would receive.

The Lord Jesus had already warned that those who died in their sins could not go to where He would go. The opposite is also true; those who believe in Him can be with Him (John 14:1-4). Those who are saved not only escape eternal suffering in hell and the lake of fire, but they can look forward confidently to the promise of eternal joy in heaven (Revelation 20:14-15, 21:27).

Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God…...These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

In Galatians 3, we saw that Abraham was justified by God for believing the promises that God had given to him. In this section of the epistle to the Hebrews, we see what the promise meant to Abraham throughout the course of his life.

Abraham received the promise of God that he would have a son. God also promised to Abraham that he and his children would receive an inheritance (Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-18). In part, this promise referred to his descendants living in the land of Canaan. Abraham, with his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob, lived in that land and several generations later, through the power of God, their descendents conquered and settled there. However, we learn from the Hebrew epistle that the promise which God made, and for which Abraham looked, went far beyond natural realms. Abraham was looking, not just for an earthly possession, but a better and a heavenly home; a place prepared for him by God.

While we remain in this world, we cannot really comprehend how superior heaven is to earth. We know that the whole creation has become subject to vanity because of the sin that has entered into the world (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 5:12, 8:20, 22). The problems of sickness and suffering are all too apparent to us. And yet the scripture tells us that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared to what the portion will be of those who trust in Christ (Romans 8:18). Furthermore, not only are there things that we know from earth which are lacking in heaven but there are glories in heaven that we have not yet seen on earth. Most of all, it is the dwelling place of God and those who have their home there can enjoy uninterrupted fellowship with God (John 14:1-3, Revelation 21:3, 23).

We read that even though Abraham had not yet seen the complete fulfilment of the promises of God, he saw them in the distance and embraced them. Similarly, if there are things to look forward to in heaven, there are also things that the believer can enjoy from God even now; as a preview of what is to come (John 17:3, Ephesians 1:11-14). The gospel does not promise that those who trust Christ will be spared all problems on earth. And yet those who do believe can face life’s difficulties knowing that all things work together for the good of those who are saved (Romans 8:28). If in the world they have tribulation, they can be of good cheer because the one who they follow has overcome the world (John 16:33).

It is of particular importance to notice that the inheritance to which Abraham looked was not something he obtained by his own power or effort. Twice we read that it was God who made it possible. The city he looked for was built and made by God. The city had been prepared for him by God. Similarly, the salvation of God is not obtained as a result of any merit of our own but purely by the grace of God. By grace are we saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). The church, the saved ones, are God’s building and the foundation upon which that building rests is the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus made it clear that those who have not had their sins dealt with, cannot be with Him. Those who have trusted Christ and had their sins forgiven are promised that they will be with Him, something which is far better (John 14:1-3, Philippians 1:23). God does not desire that any should perish but rather that all should be saved (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4). The Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself for the church that it might be with Him both for all eternity and even now (Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-9, John 14:23). Eternal life, in all its fullness, is available even now to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 5:24). Why not believe Him and receive it now?

Justification by faith is available to all

John 8:51-56 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

In past weeks, we have been looking at the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ in the temple at Jerusalem. In particular, we have observed the need to have our sins forgiven and for faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus has issued two invitations (to follow Him and to continue in His word) and two promises to those who accept that invitation (having the light of life and being set free) John 8:12, 31-32. In the passage we have just read, we see another invitation and promise; "truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death".

What an incredible promise! How privileged were these people to be offered it! It is sad therefore to observe that their response was to reject the promise and mock the person who made it. Despite all that the Lord had taught them regarding the truth of their origin, they were still in dark as to their true condition for they returned again to their earthly relationship to Abraham. Perhaps they were still thinking purely in natural terms and not recognising the deeper, spiritual teaching of the Lord. Perhaps they were not even really listening but rather waiting for something to dispute for they even misquote the Lord in their questioning of him. Their question; "who do you make yourself out to be?”, whether genuine or not, was certainly unnecessary because the Lord had already answered that question in an unambiguous fashion earlier in the narrative (John 8:12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 23, 25, 28, 40, 42, 54). But despite their unbelief, he would remain true to the words of the one who has sent him.

If they would persist in claiming a relationship with Abraham, then the Lord Jesus would persist in using the example of Abraham to teach them about a true relationship with God. If in the earlier section we have considered what Abraham heard (John 8:39-40), we now learn about what Abraham saw. Abraham saw something yet in the future but about which he could be sure because of who had promised it to him. God had told him that in his seed all nations of earth would be blest. Abraham believed what God told him, even though, at that time, he had not yet become a father. This promise has had times of partial fulfilment when the descendents of Abraham have proven a blessing to the world (Genesis 41:57, 1 Kings 4:34) but it has its ultimate fulfilment in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world (Matthew 1:21, John 3:17).

Galatians 3:6-16 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

We have encountered before the fact that Abraham was considered righteous by God because Abraham believed the promise of God (Romans 4:3). We have also learned that those who demonstrate the same faith in God as Abraham did will receive the same reward; that is, God declares them to be righteous (Romans 4:23-25). This is the gospel; that all can be justified by faith and through Christ. If we were to rely on our own adherence to God’s holy standard in order to be just before God, then that would be a most perilous position. Even if we failed in only one point or at one time, then we would have fallen short. The blessed news of the gospel is that it is not our own works that justify us before God. Rather, God promises that life and justification come by faith. Abraham’s faith was in the promise of God to give him a seed in which all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Our faith must be in the promise of God that in His Son is salvation from sin.

We observe in these verses how that salvation is possible. Christ has borne the curse for us when He was crucified that we might be made free. The Son of God, as Jesus, the only man who completely fulfilled the law of God, suffered the judgement of God for our sins (Matthew 5:17, Isaiah 52:9-10). He died for us, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ was delivered for our offences but He was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:25). The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves that He was not worthy to remain in death but it also proves that His sacrifice for sins was sufficient and that he has defeated death; that which is the final outworking of that curse brought by sin (Acts 2:24, 27, Hebrews 10:12, Romans 4:12, 21). Therefore, the promise of God to justify those who believe in Him can be enjoyed, not just by Abraham, but by all who trust His word. They have their sins forgiven and know that they have been delivered from the wrath to come because Jesus Christ died for them and is risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:10). What a blessed promise; why not accept it now?

Justified by faith

John 8:39-40 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

The Lord Jesus has been speaking to Jews in the temple. He had spoken to them of their need to be set free from sin and had promised that He could make them free (John 8:32, 36). He could do this because He is the Son of God and it was for this very purpose that His Father had sent Him (Luke 3:17-19). Those who heard this promise responded by saying that they had Abraham as their father.

It was a great privilege to be able to trace their natural descent from a man like Abraham. Abraham had been called the friend of God and God had promised to preserve and bless the nation for the sake of Abraham (Genesis 17:7, 2 Chronicles 20:7) . Yet the Lord Jesus teaches them that what characterises the true children of Abraham is not merely natural lineage but common spiritual behaviour. The Lord Jesus has already reminded his audience that sons follow the characteristics of their fathers (John 5:19, 8:38). This was how they could tell that He had come from God; because He did and taught the same things as His Father did (John 8:28). By the same means, if these people were truly children of Abraham, they would do as Abraham did. However, unlike Abraham, who believed the word of God, these people would not. The Lord Jesus had taught them and instead of accepting His word, they were rejecting both it and Him.

Romans 4:3, 23-25 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.…...Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

This quotation is taken from the letter written by the apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome. In his letter, Paul is writing about the gospel of Christ and proving that it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Romans 1:16). As the Lord Jesus did in the temple, Paul puts forth an important truth; that we have sinned and that the judgment of God will fall upon those who are not righteous before God (Romans 1:18, 3:23). Paul also reminds his readers of the promise of God; that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).

In his writings, Paul also refers to Abraham and uses the story of Abraham as a case study for how God deals with those who trust His word. Paul recalls that God recorded that Abraham was justified by faith (Romans 4:1-3, 9). This was an enduring testimony for Abraham but it is also a proof to us that God justifies by faith. Paul tells us here that we too will be reckoned righteous if we trust God.

Abraham believed the promise of God to give him a son (Genesis 15:6). If we are to be considered righteous, we must believe the promise of God that He has given us His Son (John 3:16). The Lord Jesus Christ was delivered for our offences and in His suffering and death on the cross, He bore the judgment that we should have received for our sins. The Lord Jesus Christ not only died but is risen again from the dead that we might be declared righteous. His resurrection from the dead proves that His sacrifice was accepted by God and that we can be forgiven if we trust Him.

True freedom

John 8:31-32, 34-36 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free….Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin and the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The Lord Jesus has been busy teaching the people in the temple. He has taught his hearers how to make a true assessment of their own spiritual condition as guilty before God (John 8:7). He has promised to give light and life to those who follow Him (John 8:12). He has given a true assessment of His own standing before God; always doing what is pleasing to God (John 8:14, 29). He has warned them that if they died with their sins unforgiven, they would be eternally separated from God (John 8:21-24). He has also spoken of when He would be lifted up, when He would die on the cross as God’s holy sacrifice for sin, that those who believe in Him might be forgiven and saved (John 8:28, 1 Peter 2:24, Hebrews 9:28, Romans 3:23).The Lord Jesus now gives his hearers another promise; that they may be made truly free.

Freedom is a very valuable thing and something that men, women and younger people all value. Throughout the centuries, there have been many who have given their lives, either in death or in dedication, to achieve freedom; either for themselves or others. The Lord Jesus promised His hearers that He could set them free.

What were they to be freed from? It was not the imperialist hegemony of Rome, although many in the land of Israel at that time seem to have hoped for such a thing (Luke 24:21, Acts 1:6). It was not from the tyranny of slavery; though that cruel practice was widespread. In verse 34, the Lord Jesus explained what they needed to be freed from. It was from the most oppressive, destructive and sorrowful of masters. It was from sin.

How would they be made free? The Lord Jesus tells them that they would know the truth and the truth would make them free. The truth is to be found in His words. His promises and His commandments would bring light and life to those who believed them (John 8:12). This was because He, as the Son of God, spoke with all the power and authority of God (John 5:19, 7:16).

Who would make them free? It was the Lord Jesus himself who would make them free. As the Son of God, He has the right and the power to deliver those who rely on Him for salvation. This is because He is the one who has made salvation possible by His sacrifice and death and because He is now alive to save all those who trust in Him (Romans 5:8-10, Hebrews 7:25).

Just prior to this statement made by the Lord Jesus, John records that, as Jesus spoke to the people, “many believed on him” (John 8:30). This was a good start. They heard the words of Jesus and accepted that they were true. Yet we see from the following verses that Jesus taught them that they must abide in His word to be true disciples. The Lord Jesus was not telling them that they must keep His commandments for a certain period of time and then they would be worthy to be His disciples. Rather, the Lord Jesus was teaching that by continuing in His word, it would become evident that they are truly His disciples. We learn from the scriptures that salvation is not something we earn by our own abilities or efforts but it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is bestowed upon us, not because we deserve it, but because we believe the promise that God has made to forgive us if we trust in Him. Our own efforts to live a life that is pleasing to God are not the means of our salvation yet for those who are saved, it is certainly the proof of the new life that they now have in Christ (Romans 6:17-18, 22, 1 John 2:3, 3:9).

The people who stood with the Lord Jesus in the temple on this occasion were greatly privileged to hear the words of the Son of God. We can thank God for the witness of John and the other gospel writers who faithfully recorded all that Jesus began both to do and to teach so that we might read it and believe in Him (John 20-31, Luke 1:-4, Acts 1:1). Even now, we can read the word of God and hear what we are commanded by God to do. For the sinner, the message is clear; repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). If the command is clear, then so is the promise; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 17:31).

The finished work

John 8:23-29 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

The Lord Jesus has continued His teaching in the temple. He has issued this solemn warning to his audience; that those who do not believe in Him would die in their sins. The people recognise that in order to believe in Him, they need to know who He is. Therefore they ask him “Who are you?”

The Lord Jesus reminds them that He has already told them who He is. He is the one who the Father had sent (John 8:18). Earlier in the chapter, the people had commented that the Lord Jesus’ self-description could not be trusted (John 8:13). Here He tells them that the time will come when they will know that what He had said of Himself was true. He had come down from heaven, not to do His own will, but the will of the one who had sent Him. (John 6:38).

The Lord Jesus would finish the work given Him by His Father (John 4:34). The Lord Jesus tells them what the work would entail. He would be lifted up. Earlier in John’s gospel, the Lord Jesus is recorded saying that He must be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:14-15). This is the will of the Father; that everyone who sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life (John 6:40).

The Lord Jesus has finished the work He was given to do (John 17:4). He was lifted up. He was crucified. He bare our sins in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:24). The Lord Jesus always did those things that pleased His Father and yet it pleased the Father to bruise Him and to make His soul an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10). He loved righteousness and hated iniquity yet the Lord would lay on Him the iniquity of us all (Psalm 45:6, Isaiah 53:6). Fulfilling the will of His Father came at a tremendous cost for the Lord Jesus yet it has made Him the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9).

The Lord Jesus could say as He hung on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30). He has established the righteous basis by which God can forgive us for our sins (Romans 3:25-26). He has completed the work which His Father had given Him. There is nothing we need to add to it. Salvation is now available to all, and only to all, who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Will you trust Him today?

A true witness

John 8:12-13, 17-21, 23-24 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.......It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come...And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

In the previous article, we considered the promise that the Lord Jesus made, recorded in verse 12, and the blessing that comes to those who accept it. Continuing in our reading of the chapter, we now observe that the promise was challenged by those to whom it was initially given.

Earlier in the chapter, we read of an incident where the opponents of the Lord Jesus used the writings of Moses in an attempt to trick Him (John 8:3-11). We now observe that the Lord Jesus uses the same tool in His response to their question. He refers them to the section of the law that deals with how to establish whether accusations made against some are true or false. (Deuteronomy 19:15). It is not surprising that the Son of God was able to use the scriptures effectively for God was the very author of them (Exodus 20:1, 31:18, Deuteronomy 6:1). Just as two witnesses were required in the law to determine the truth of the matter, the Lord Jesus here teaches His audience that He is vindicated by the dual witness of Himself and His Father.

We can observe in the scriptures the times when God the Father testified that Jesus was His Son and the one whom He had sent. In Mark’s Gospel, we can read that, after the baptism of the Lord Jesus, a voice came from heaven that said “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). Elsewhere, we can read that it was well known to the people that God had testified His approval of Jesus. This testimony was seen in the miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in their midst (Acts 2:22).

Despite this, there were those who did not believe Him and the Lord Jesus warned them of the consequences of their unbelief. The Lord Jesus had already taught that He would return to Him that had sent Him and that they would not be able to follow Him. (John 7:33-34). Here He tells them the reason why. They would die in their sins and be unable to go to where He is.

Those who die in their sins cannot go to where Christ has gone. And yet there is no need that anyone should die in their sins. The Lord Jesus spoke of the time when He would be lifted up. He sacrificed Himself to put away sin and having offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, he has now sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 9:26, 10:12).

Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the one whom the Father sent to be the Saviour of the world, can dwell with God (1 John 4:14). They can be sure that He has gone to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house and that He has promised, having gone away, He will come again and take them unto Himself, that where He is, there they may be also (John 14:3).

This is a blessed hope; something that can fill the heart of the believer with joy and for which they can look forward to. But the Bible also warns us of a time to come when all will be judged (Acts 17:31, Revelation 20:11-15). At that time, God will condemn some to eternal judgement in the lake of fire and bring some into heaven. This will be determined by one thing and one thing alone; whether their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life or not. Those whose names are written in the book of life will enter into heaven (Revelation 21:27). Those whose names are not recorded there may not do so and will instead be cast out (Revelation 20:15).

What, then, is required to have our names written in that blessed book? We should listen to what the Lord Jesus has said for it is He who will make that judgement. The Lord Jesus has promised that those who believe in Him have everlasting life (John 3:16). Those who believe not are condemned already because they have not believed in the Son of God (John 3:17). Let us be those who hear the word of the Lord Jesus and believe on Him that sent Him, that we may pass from death unto life (John 5:24).

The light of life

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The Lord Jesus describes Himself as the light of the world and promises that those who walk with Him will not walk in darkness but in light and life. God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all and to have fellowship with God, it is necessary to walk in the light (1 John 1:5-7). Light reveals sin; as illustrated in the incident recorded earlier in this chapter and as told by the scriptures (John 8:3-12, Ephesians 5:13). When Christ Jesus came into this world, it was as light shining into darkness and dispelling it (John 1:5). Those who did not believe Him, hated Him for it and would not come to Him to have their sins discovered (John 3:19-20, 15:22). He came into the world while the world at large did not recognise Him, to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God (John 3:10-12).

How is such a transformation possible? To understand this, we could consider the words written by the apostle Paul to the saints and faithful brethren at Colosse.

Paul could give thanks to the Father who had made them fit to receive the inheritance of the saints in light. They had been delivered from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of His beloved Son. This blessed privilege was theirs because they had been redeemed, through His blood, and had their sins forgiven. They, who once were alienated from God and hostile in mind toward Him, doing evil deeds, had now been reconciled by Jesus Christ, in His body of flesh and by His death. They could now be presented holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.

This then is our opportunity today. The promise of the Lord Jesus is that those who follow Him can walk in the light. He has brought about reconciliation between God and man and all may now avail themselves of it. The light of truth brings conviction of sin and need but salvation and the forgiveness of sin comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your Saviour today and you shall receive the light of life.

Christ: the true remedy for sin

John 8:2-12 And early in the morning Jesus came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

This event from the life of the Lord Jesus is unique to the Gospel of John. The enemies of the Lord Jesus, offended by His popularity among the people and having been thwarted in their attempt to arrest Him, now tried another tactic in their attempt to defeat Him. The scribes and Pharisees would use this poor woman as a pawn in their evil game and they presented her here to the Lord Jesus with what they expected to be an unanswerable conundrum.

This woman had been found undeniably guilty of a crime which, according to their own religious laws, required the death penalty. Moses, the great prophet of God, was a man held in high esteem by the people and whose writings, centuries later, were still the basis of the religious law of the nation. Moses had said that adultery deserved death (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). Yet the Lord Jesus was known to be a man of compassion so perhaps he might say that the woman should not be killed. Imagine then the outcry from the people! This man could not possibly be the Messiah if He countermanded the instructions of Moses.

On the other hand, Jesus could have said that Moses was right and that the woman should be executed. At this time, it was not lawful for them to put anyone to death, It was only the Roman governor that had that power (John 18:31). If Jesus had answered thus, the scribes and Pharisees could then accuse Him of disregarding the political laws and have Him dealt with by the Roman authorities.

The response of the Lord Jesus is rather surprising. He started to write on the ground as if He had not even heard their question. At length, evidently having been asked the question numerous times, the Lord Jesus spoke. He did not directly answer their question but rather diverted their attention inward; towards their own behaviour and their own conscience. We may observe the result. Each one, convicted in their own hearts that they themselves were guilty sinners, went away and left Jesus alone with the woman standing before Him.

Afterwards, the Lord Jesus spoke again to the Pharisees and said “I am the light of the world.” Earlier in the Gospel, the Lord Jesus taught that light exposes those whose works are wicked and that people prefer darkness to light because their works are evil (John 3:19-20). We see the truth of those words illustrated in this event. The Lord Jesus had made these people realise their own unworthiness. They had understood that they could not remain in His holy presence and continue in their sin. Brought to that understanding, they sadly chose to walk away. Their decision is contrasted with that of the woman. She remained with the Lord Jesus. She did not deny her guilt and it seems that she was willing to submit to His judgement. What joy must His words have brought to her? “Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”.

It has often been commented before by others that the Lord Jesus could have cast the first stone. He was the only man who has never sinned (Hebrews 7:26-27, 1 Peter 2:22). In His mercy, He chose not to condemn the woman. The Lord Jesus didn’t condone what she had done. Rather, he commanded her to sin no more. However, He was both willing and able to forgive her. He could do this because He would pay the penalty of her sin. He had come to put away sin by sacrificing Himself (Hebrews 9:26).

We are also sinners. Both our own conscience and the word of God witness to that fact (Romans 1:15, 3:23). Despite this, God has promised that He will not remember our sins and iniquities any more (Hebrews 10:17). Christ has once suffered for sins, He the just one for we the unjust, that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Because of that sacrifice, God can be both faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9-2:2). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Seeking God?

John 7:45-46 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

The Lord Jesus had been teaching in the temple (John 7:14). The religious leaders sent officers to the Lord Jesus to take Him (John 7:32). They were not motivated by a desire to hear His words and to learn of Him. This is demonstrated in the latter verses of the chapter. Nicodemus argued that it was not lawful to judge a man without first hearing what he had to say but they had already made up their minds against Him (John 7:48-52). Rather, they wished to kill Him; something that was recognised even by the men of Jerusalem (John 7:25). To that end, the Pharisees sent these officers to arrest Jesus. However, their plan did not come to fruition. The officers instead heard what the Lord Jesus said and instead of taking Him, they returned without Him. They were questioned regarding their failure to complete the task allotted to them. Their response made it clear that they had appreciated the uniqueness of Jesus. He was one who spoke words unlike any other man.

The officers heard the Lord Jesus make a promise. He said that, in a short while, He would return to God; the one who had sent Him (John 7:33-34). That promise was a declaration. The Lord Jesus also made a second promise and that second promise was an invitation.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

For most of nature, and for humans in particular, water is a necessity to sustain life. Thirst is a physical need that must be satisfied. The scriptures also use the word to indicate a longing after God and of the desire for spiritual satisfaction (Psalm 42:1-2, 63:1). The Lord Jesus here issues an invitation to all those who are thirsty. All those who recognise their need before God can come to Him and have their need met.

Isaiah 55:1, 6-8 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat;...Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

The promise made by the Lord Jesus was foretold many years before by the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 53 of his prophecy, Isaiah had spoken about the Lord Jesus. He had told that he would be rejected by the people to whom He came and they would not believe His words (Isaiah 53:1-3). He would suffer on behalf of the people and be made, by God, an offering for their sin (Isaiah 53:4-5, 10). He would die on their behalf and make it possible for God to forgive them (Isaiah 53:11-12). On the basis of that sacrifice, the promise could then be made to the nation; that all those who were thirsty could come to the waters. Because the price had been already paid by another, those who were destitute could obtain food.

The provision and power of salvation comes from God alone. The death of Christ on the cross has established the righteous basis on which God can forgive the sinner. The resurrection of Christ has proven His power to overcome death and give eternal life to all those who trust Him (Romans 5:8-10, 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 9:26, 28).

It is our responsibility to accept the salvation that God offers. We must seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near. We must leave behind our own ways and our own ideas and rely instead upon God’s grace. He will have mercy on all those who trust in Him. He will abundantly pardon those who accept His Son as their Saviour (Romans 3:24-26).

How can we go to where God is?

John 7:28-29 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

In the previous chapter, the Lord Jesus had been teaching the people. He had taught about who He was, where He had come from and the reason why He came. He was the one who had come down from heaven and He had come to do the will of Him that had sent Him (John 6:38). In this section, the Lord Jesus reminds the people of what He has already taught them.

John 7:33-34 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

Having told the people about where He had come from, the Lord Jesus now provides these people with a solemn warning. The time would come when they would look for Him and be unable to find them. He would have gone from them and they could not follow Him. The people who heard wondered if the Lord Jesus meant that He was going into another country but this clearly was not the point. Indeed the Lord Jesus makes it clear in His statement where He is going. He is returning to the one from whom He came and to the place from whence He came and this was not a place to which these people could go.

This was certainly true. The Son of God was manifest in the flesh for a short space of time. In the not too distant future, He would be rejected by the nation and put to death on the cross (Acts 2:23, 3:13-15). He would be buried and would rise again from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4). He would be seen in His resurrection but not by all the people, only by those who had already accepted Him (Acts 1:2-3). He would ascend up to Heaven and no longer be visible to the human eye in the way in which He was at the time of these words (Acts 1:9-11).

John 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

These verses came from a later occasion in the life of the Lord Jesus and are given to a different audience. This time it is not the unbelieving crowd in the temple who heard His words but the devoted followers of the Lord Jesus in the upper room. Again, the Lord Jesus says that He is shortly to leave them, to go back to His Father and to His Father’s house. However, on this occasion He tells his hearers that they can know where He is going and how to get there. Furthermore, He promises to them that they can be there with Him.

What contrasts we see between these two statements? One group has a sure and blessed hope, one group is left without hope. What is the reason for these differences? One group had accepted Jesus as their Saviour, one group had not. One group had their sins forgiven and one group did not. One group was now fit for the presence of God and one was not.

How then can we go to where God is? The Lord Jesus tells us that there is only one way to come to God. It is through Him and through Him alone. As there is one God, so is there one mediator between God and man. That one mediator is Christ Jesus, the one who is himself both God and man. He has given himself a ransom for all people that all people might be saved (1 Timothy 2:4-6). Whoever believes on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved and God will, for Christ’s sake, forgive them (Acts 16:31, Ephesians 4:32).

The warning that the Lord Jesus made to the people in the temple is applicable still to us today. God now commands all people everywhere to repent. He has appointed a day in which he will judge the world (Acts 17:30-31). He will judge through the person of His Son but even now we can escape that judgement by trusting His son as our Saviour. Now is the acceptable time and now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). We may seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon Him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6). If we do, we shall be saved for the Lord Jesus himself has promised that he will not refuse any who come to him (John 6:37).

Will you believe?

John 6:25-29 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The section prior to this records that a group of people came to the Lord Jesus. On the previous day, He had done a great miracle in their presence. He had fed a crowd of over 5000 people. He had done it in a wilderness and with only a meagre amount of supplies. The Lord Jesus had met the need of the people in the all-sufficient way that only the Son of God can. The people had been fed. Also, enough food had been provided that there were twelve baskets filled with leftovers. However, the morning had now come and the people were hungry again. In their need, they came to the Lord Jesus. As He ever did, the Lord Jesus used the ordinary things of life as an opportunity to teach about things that are spiritual and eternal. He teaches them not to direct all their energies and efforts into things relating to this life but to make everlasting life the ultimate goal of their activities.

The people seemed to recognise that the Lord Jesus was not talking of receiving physical food. They asked Him how they might do God’s work. Perhaps they expected that doing something pleasing to God was the way to obtain this everlasting life. However, they missed an important distinction in the statement that the Lord Jesus had made. He had told them that the food that endures to eternal life is not something that they obtain by themselves but rather is something that is given to them by the Son of man. However, the Lord Jesus was gracious and patient enough to answer their question. He told them that what God wanted them to do is to believe in the person whom God has sent. In doing so, He also told them how they could receive everlasting life. It is through believing in Him. In verse 40, the Lord Jesus told them that “this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life”.

The Lord Jesus gave a sad summary of the attitude of these people in verse 36; “ye also have seen me, and believe not.” The people asked the Lord to give them a sign that they might believe Him. They had already seen signs from His hands and heard words from His lips and they had not believed. Yet, the Lord Jesus promised to them that if they did believe, He would accept them because He says in verse 37 “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

These people had a blessed opportunity to observe the Lord Jesus Christ and to accept Him. Today we also have the opportunity to learn about the Lord Jesus. Today we have the witness of the word of God where the teachings and deeds of the Son of God are recorded for us. We can learn that we need to have our sins forgiven by God. We can learn that Christ has made it possible for us to be saved through His death on the Cross. We can learn that He has promised to save all those who trust Him. What is our response today? Will we be like those who saw His miracles and believed not or shall we be like Simon Peter who, as recorded in verse 69; confessed that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life and that we believe and have come to know, that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God?

A promise from the Son of God

John 5:24 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.

This statement was made by the Lord Jesus and comes in the middle of an address to the religious authorities in Jerusalem. The Lord Jesus was defending His claim to be the Son of God. This is a foundational truth of the Gospel; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and it is something that is necessary to be believed to become a true Christian (Acts 8:37).

Indeed, we see immediately why this is important in our verse. The Lord Jesus said that what He was saying was true. He was making a promise and it could be relied upon because it was He who was making it. If anyone other than the Son of God were to claim that it is possible to receive everlasting life and escape condemnation then that claim would be a very specious claim indeed.

We often make promises. Sometimes we mean what we say and sometimes we don’t. Even if we do genuinely mean what we have promised, we are not always able to carry it out. Sometimes things happen that we did not foresee and that make it impossible for us to keep our promise. Sometimes we underestimate the magnitude of the task and find ourselves incapable of keeping our promise. Not so God. He knows all and can do all. He can, has, and will, keep His promises. Let us then consider the promise of God as recorded in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Firstly, we can consider what might be called the negative aspect of the promise. It is captured in the phrase “shall not come into condemnation”. We have sinned and the sentence that God’s righteous law demands of the convicted sinner is death (Romans 5:12). Death in this world and in the world to come (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:14-15). However, here is a promise of escape from condemnation.

We might notice the use of the word shall in this clause of the promise. It is looking to the future. Also, it is something that is certain. If we trust Christ, we can be absolutely sure that we are not condemned (John 3:18) nor can become condemned. The Lord Jesus could make this statement because, as we read in verse 22, it is to Him that all judgment is given. As the judge, He could promise that He will not condemn those who hear and believe.

Secondly, there is the positive aspect to the promise. This is seen in the phrase “hath everlasting life.” We have learned that the penalty for sin is death. Here we learn that those who have been delivered from that penalty are instead the recipients of life. In verses 21 and 26, we see that the Lord Jesus can make this promise because He, as the holder and giver of life, grants it to whomever He will.

The phrase “whom He will” clearly shows that this granting of life is the decision of God and is given to those whom He chooses to be its recipients. This could perhaps lead some to think that some people are chosen by God to be saved, regardless of their own actions or ideas, and that some are not given the opportunity at all. It is true that there are few that are saved (Luke 13:23-24) but that is not because God does not want them to be. God desires that all will be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4) but it is only to those that believe that God chooses to bestow salvation.

Again we might like to notice the verb used; hath. This is something that is the immediate experience of the one who believes the promise. They have everlasting life. This is in itself proof that they shall not come into condemnation; they have already passed from death unto life.

In John 3:17-18, we can read that “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Our natural state is condemnation but by hearing the word of the Lord Jesus Christ and believing God, His Father and the one who sent Him, we shall pass from death unto life.

Rise, take up thy bed, and walk

John 5:2-9 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.

How sad a scene is this? We see what the scripture describes as a great multitude of impotent folk; a gathering of many people who had all manner of diseases and disabilities; all characterised by an inability to make their condition any better. We see, however, that God had made provision available whereby they could be healed. In the midst of this pitiable crowd, there was a man whose condition was even more lamentable. Perhaps some of his fellow sufferers had those who could help them; who made it possible for them to get into the pool at the appropriate moment and be healed. This man was seemingly abandoned by all and left to his own devices. How many times had he tried to reach the pool first? On how many occasions had he been disappointed to see another reach the pool first and be healed instead of him? The scripture does not say but perhaps it had been for much of the thirty eight years. He could not help himself and he had no man to help him.

Into this lamentable scene came Jesus. Here was the man who could meet the need of the impotent man. We notice the part that Jesus played in this event. Firstly, we see that Jesus saw the man lie. He took notice of the man. The man who had been abandoned and neglected by society became the object of the attention of the God of all the universe. We see also that Jesus knew that the man had been a long time in that case. The Lord Jesus knew the man’s past problem and his present condition. Having come to the man, Jesus asked him a question; “wilt thou be made whole?”. At first, this might seem a strange question; even an unnecessary one. Why would the man have been there but to be healed? Furthermore, as we have noticed, the Lord Jesus knew all about this man. Perhaps the man’s response is telling; he does not directly answer the question that the Lord Jesus asked. What he did was to confess his complete inability to deal with it himself.

In response, the Lord Jesus gave the man a promise. He told him to rise, take up his bed and walk. In the next verse, we see that the promise was fulfilled. Immediately the man was made whole. We see also that the promise was accepted. He took up his bed. Having accepted the promise, the man realised the promise in its fullness; he walked.

This is a lovely story but how then does it relate to us? Consider the natural condition of humanity as described in the word of God. We have all sinned and are servants to sin (Romans 3:23, John 8:34). Sin is that which defiles and debilitates the soul and prevents us from being right with God (Isaiah 59:2). This is the condition of all who have not had their sins forgiven. There are many in this sorry state but remember that they are all themselves individuals. Like this impotent man there are men, women and younger people who feel the effects of sin. Many, like this man, recognise their need and perhaps some even acknowledge their own inability to make things right.

The good news of the gospel is that we are the object of divine interest. The scripture records that God has come to us that we might be saved (Luke 19:10). At the poolside, we see that the blessing was limited to the first person who stepped into the pool. The wonderful fact of the salvation that God offers in His Son is that it is available to all who believe (Romans 3:22). The gospel is for those who recognise their need of salvation. It is the promise that we will have our sins forgiven if we trust in Christ (1 John 2:12). If we trust, the promise is kept. God forgives our sins and we can rise and walk in the new, eternal, life that God gives to those who believe in him (John 3:16).

A promise of eternal life

John 4:10, 13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water...Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was travelling from Jerusalem to Galilee and was passing through a region called Samaria. Wearied from His journey, He had stopped for a rest at a well. While He was there, a local woman came to the well to fetch some water and the Lord Jesus asked her to give him a drink. In the course of the conversation that followed, the Lord Jesus made these statements.

These statements were promises. The Lord Jesus told the woman that he could supply her with something that would not merely satisfy her present physical thirst but that could meet her eternal spiritual need. He could give her eternal life.

John 4:15 -16 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

Not unsurprisingly, the woman was eager to receive this blessing. However, before He would give it to her, the Lord Jesus Christ wanted her first to recognise and confess her sin. God commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed (Acts 17:30-31).

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

As the conversation nears its end, the Lord Jesus Christ makes this statement. The woman had asked him whether it was necessary to be in a particular place to worship God. However, the Lord Jesus Christ taught her that the Father is looking for those who worship Him to worship Him, not in a place, but in spirit and in truth. God is not looking for an outward display of religiosity but for an inward conviction, a genuine acceptance of the truth.

John 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

While there is not one particular place from where it is necessary to come to God, there is only one way of approach to God. It is through faith in the person of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). There are many false Christs and many false spirits in the world but it is only the Lord Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). He is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). He is the one whom God has appointed to judge the world but before that will take place, He was first identified as the one by whom we can be saved.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

By this stage, the disciples of the Lord Jesus had returned from the nearby city where they had gone to buy food. The Lord Jesus now speaks to them and tells them of His great purpose. It was to do the will of His Father and to complete His work. He had come to be the Saviour of the world (John 4:42).

The woman of Samaria recognised that the man with whom she spoke was the Christ, and she trusted Him (John 4:29). What is your response today?

Where is God in a world affected by coronavirus?

Since the first cases of Coronavirus were announced until today, it is hard to comprehend everything that has unfolded. It is difficult to watch the news reports of hospitals overflowing in parts of the world, and the governments throughout the world struggling to meet the extent of the crisis. It is heartbreaking to know that many thousands have died and the wider impact of job loss and in some parts of the world poverty that has followed.

Many will ask how it can be that God would allow this to happen. What is wrong with the world and how can these things that cause so much distress continue to happen.

It is important to know that this is not the world that God created. This is not the Garden of Eden in which God walked with man and it is not the purpose God had in creation. Why then have things changed? It is not God that has changed, but it is mankind. In the bible God tells us that “all we like sheep have gone our own way, we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).

We live in a world that has forsaken God. We can see how humanity treats creation, and how we have treated each other over the centuries. War, famine and disease are all effects of sin entering into the world.

There are many who would provide solutions and ideas of how humanity can improve, but regardless of this there remains an immovable problem that there is a seed of discord that is deep within every human heart. The bible tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The bible tells us that God sent many messengers over the centuries, and just over 2000 years ago He sent His Son; the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Lord Jesus was here on earth He wept when he looked on the effects of sin. He offered healing and righteousness and practised kindness and love to many. The response of the world was to press false charges against Him and the record shows that crowds gathered to cry “away with him, away with him, crucify him” (John 19:15). Humanity proved its sin against God in the desire to remove from this world the righteous Son of God and to put Him to death. At that very same time, the Lord Jesus willingly entered into death. Every crime has a punishment and the effect of sin against God means that death is the punishment. The Lord Jesus bore death as the punishment of sin for all mankind: this means He did not die for his own sin because He had none, but that He died for ours.

We live in a world that has taken the Son of God and crucified Him on a cross and stated “we will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14) - Yet God still offers forgiveness, there is Salvation. This is the good news: The Gospel. The bible tells us clearly to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31), and further says that as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).

It is incredibly sad to see so many suffer at this time. So many things have happened since the Lord Jesus was here on earth. It is so sad to consider the effects of sin and that man has gone his own way and thought he could do better than his creator. But what of you? Surely the only thing sadder than the current situation for mankind, is to continue on the same path? We cannot change the pathway of all the world, but each of us who are individuals important to God, must make a choice of how we respond to God our creator. The Lord Jesus told us to come to Him, and He promised that “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Ye must be born again

John 3:1-7 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

There has been much speculation among Bible scholars regarding both the reason why Nicodemus came to the Lord Jesus and why he came at night. Sometimes the children at Sunday School sing that he came to ask the Lord Jesus the way of salvation and light. If that was the reason why Nicodemus came, then he came to the person who could reveal it to him. The scripture does not record the reason but it does say that the Lord Jesus knows what we think (John 2:24-25). The Lord Jesus was able to answer Nicodemus and provoke him to think about what was really important.

Having heard the Lord Jesus’s statement about the necessity for new birth, Nicodemus is perplexed as to what it means. His immediate response is to think about it naturally. It is not surprising that Nicodemus’s thoughts would turn to something he knew about already; something he could see and comprehend. It is also not surprising that most people think about pleasing God and obtaining salvation in the same way.

Some people think that they can achieve salvation by doing something. That is not surprising. After all, we have to work for most things in life. The Bible itself tells us that if we don’t work, we can’t expect to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). However, salvation is not obtained by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). In Luke 18:18, a man asked the Lord Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life. When we inherit something, we don’t receive it because we worked for it. Rather it is something that is bestowed upon us. Usually we receive an inheritance because of the relationship we have, by birth, with the one who bestows.

What, then, did the Lord Jesus mean when He said “you must be born again”. The scriptures tell us that we are by nature the children of disobedience and of wrath (Ephesians 2:2-3). As Nicodemus recognised, it is not possible, or even sufficient, to go through the process of physical birth again. Something more is required. If we are going to be right with God, it is not sufficient to patch up our existing nature but to have a new nature. If we are going to receive eternal life, it is not enough to simply improve our present life but to receive new life. This is why the Lord Jesus talks about being born again.

John 3:13-16 No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

How is it possible to be born again? The Lord Jesus has made it possible. He first descended, from heaven to earth, that he might be lifted up. He came to die on the cross for our sins. God’s son was given, as God’s Holy Sacrifice, that we might become His children and inherit His eternal life (Galatians 4:4-7).

God’s promise is recorded in His Holy Word. Whoever accepts His Son as their Saviour will have their sins forgiven and come into the blessing of eternal life. Have you been born again? If not, remember the word’s of the Lord Jesus; “you must be born again”.

The time of his death

John 2:1-4 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”

These words are part of one of the most well known stories from the Bible. This is the occasion when the Lord Jesus turned water into wine. In this article we want to think rather about the statement that the Lord Jesus made; “my hour has not yet come.”

Of what hour is the Lord Jesus speaking? It is the time of His death; when He would die for us.

The Lord Jesus knew fully what that hour would involve. He would be taken by His enemies, who would abuse Him and kill Him. He would be crucified and die (Mark 10:33). It was their hour and the power of darkness (Luke 22:53).

But this hour was not a time when the enemies of the Lord Jesus triumphed over Him. No man took His life from Him; He laid it down of Himself (John 10:18). He went to that hour that He might be glorified (John 12:23). It would seem incongruous that a death of shame and suffering could bring glory to the one who endured it. Nevertheless, the Lord Jesus could say that He had come to that hour for that very purpose (John 12:26). Not only that, He could say that He had finished the work that He had come to do (John 17:4). He made it possible for God to righteously and completely forgive sinners. He paid the penalty for their sin.

John 2:18-22 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Here we have another statement made by the Lord Jesus in relation to His death. Again, the Lord Jesus refers to the fact that He would be killed. In this statement, however, the Lord Jesus also speaks of what would happen after His death. He would rise again. We have already considered that the Lord Jesus had power to lay down His life. He also had power to take it again (John 10:18). By His death, the Lord Jesus defeated sin and death. By His resurrection, the Lord Jesus proved His victory and His capacity to save those who trust in Him.

We have read that when the Lord Jesus made this statement, there were those who either did not or would not understand and believe what He said. We have also read that there were those who remembered what the Lord Jesus said and believed it. What will your choice be? Will you accept the living Saviour, He who died that you might have your sins forgiven and has risen again to save completely all those who trust in Him?

The witness of John the Baptist

In the previous article below, we referred to the gospel written by one of the followers of the Lord Jesus, a man named John. In this study, we want to look at one of the events that John recorded in his gospel.

John writes about a man called John the Baptist. He was baptising people in the river (John 1:28). John Baptist had been telling the people they must repent from their sins (Mark 1:4-8). John Baptist was a famous celebrity in his day but John Baptist himself told the people that there was someone coming after him who was greater than he was (John 1:15, 27, 30).

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Here was the person whom John Baptist had spoken about; whom he had said was greater than him. It was Jesus. Jesus greater than John in His actions. When Jesus came to be baptised by John, John confessed that Jesus was more righteous than he was (Matthew 3:14). Jesus was greater than John in His person. In verse 34, John Baptist describes Jesus as “the Son of God” whereas John was known as the son of Zacharias (Luke 3:2). John Baptist also recognised that Jesus was greater in His work. John had commanded the people to repent of their sins but Jesus had come to bear away the sin of the world. He is the Lamb of God.

The Bible tells us that God loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (an atoning sacrifice) for our sins (1 John 4:10). The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). This is because it is precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19).

John 1: 35-41 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

John Baptist came to be a witness to the Son the God. Here we have two men who heard the witness of John Baptist and believed. They followed Jesus and abode with Him. One of these men is identified as Andrew. It is commonly thought that the other unnamed man is John, the author of the gospel in which these events are recorded. Whoever it was, we see that their response to the word they heard was the right one. They believed it and followed the one of whom it spoke. They confessed that He was the Saviour whom God had promised. What will you do today? Will you confess that Christ died to take away your sin and accept Him as your Saviour?

Why did the Lord Jesus Christ come into the world?

In our previous articles below, we have thought about the Lord Jesus Christ; what He has done (died for our sins) and why He has done it (to save sinners). In this article, let us think further on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:1-4, 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

These words were written by a man named John. He had been a fisherman who worked on the Sea of Galilee. He had met the Lord Jesus Christ, become a follower of Him and later a preacher of the Gospel.

John had spent a lot of time with the Lord Jesus and knew Him very well. Therefore he was well qualified to write a biography of the Lord Jesus. He did this faithfully and truthfully. John wrote his gospel so that those who read it might believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 20:31, 21:24).

John tells us certain things about the Lord Jesus. He describes Him as the Word. He uses this title because the Lord Jesus Christ is the person by whom God has spoken to mankind and through whom God has revealed Himself to us (John 1:18, Hebrews 1:2). John tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ was with God from the very beginning; He is everlasting. John tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is God. John tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ, as God, is the creator of all things.

John also tells us that there came a time when the timeless, divine Creator became a man. As a man, He displayed all the glorious attributes of God. He was full of grace and truth.

John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Here we see the reason why the Word was made flesh and came to dwell among us. God gave His Son, allowing Him to be taken by wicked hands and to be crucified and slain (Acts 2:23). God gave His Son that salvation from sin and its penalty (death) might become available to anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world. God sent His Son into the world that the world through Him might be saved. However, while that promise remains true, it also has a contrary implication. Anyone who does not accept the salvation that God offers in the person and work of His beloved Son faces the judgement of God.

John 1:11-12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

The Lord Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) but it is only those who accept Him as their Saviour that come into the benefit of the salvation that He offers. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are saved. They are no longer sinners in God’s sight but are now the children of God; those whose eternal home is in God’s heaven.

Why did the Lord Jesus Christ die?

In the article below, we considered the statement of Holy Scripture “that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. This is a good summary of the Gospel message. The key character in that message is the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us now spend some time considering who the Lord Jesus Christ is.

Matthew 1:21-23 thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Many would be familiar with the name Jesus. Many would know that there was a man named Jesus who lived on this earth about 2000 years ago. Many would know that He was a man who did good deeds and was a great teacher. However, important and helpful as those things were and still are, He was much more than that. He also had a far greater purpose to fulfil in the course of His life. The names given to Him in this passage of the Word of God attest to that.

Firstly, we see that He was called Emmanuel; which means “God with us.” Here was God, living among men. A person who was absolutely God and truly man. Secondly we see what His purpose was; He came to save sinners and He came to save us.

Matthew 20:28 The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

God is our creator; the supreme authority to whom we are all accountable and to whom all our honour, praise and service is due. This verse, a statement made by the Lord Jesus Christ about Himself, unfolds to us the wonderful truth of why He came. The Lord Jesus came not to receive our praise and service (that which was rightfully His, as the Son of God, to expect). He came to complete the greatest and most gracious act of service; to give His life for us.

John 3:14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This is another statement made by the Lord Jesus Christ about Himself and His purpose. He came to be crucified; to suffer and to bleed and to die on the cross. The Lord Jesus Christ shed His precious blood that the penalty for our sins might be paid. God promises that anyone who trusts the Son of God as their Saviour will have their sins forgiven and be sure of their place in Heaven.

The resurrection and why it matters for you

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

These words were written almost 2000 years ago by a man named Paul. He was a preacher and he preached a message that was called the gospel. The word gospel means “good news”.

Paul wrote to a group of people in a city in Greece called Corinth. Paul reminded them that he had preached the gospel to them when he was in their city. The Corinthians had received the gospel that Paul preached and they had been saved as a result.

Paul recounted what that message was. It had two parts. The first part was that Christ had died of our sins. The second part was that He was buried and He rose again on the third day. Let us consider these two parts of the message.

The Bible tells us that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23). The Bible also tells us that death comes as a result of sin (Romans 5:12). This is evidenced in physical death but when the Bible talks about death, it is referring to more than what is physical. The Bible records that after physical death, there is judgement (Hebrews 9:27). There will come a time when all those who have died physically (as well as those still alive at that time) will be assessed by God.

Those whose names are not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire; a place of everlasting suffering. The Bible describes this as the second death (Revelation 21:14-15)

It is possible, however, to escape this terrible punishment. We can be saved. It is possible because the Lord Jesus Christ has died for our sins. He took our place and suffered the punishment that our sins deserved. The Lord Jesus died on the Cross so that those who believe in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Let us consider now the second part of the message that Paul preached in Corinth. There were some people in Corinth who had claimed that there was no resurrection of the dead. However, Paul was able to prove that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead. This was important because the fact that Jesus was alive proved two things: it proved that He was sinless and that He was God. The fact that Jesus was alive meant two things; it meant that He had defeated death and that He could deliver from death those who relied upon Him.

The word of God tells us that we can be saved if we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can be saved because He died for our sins and has risen again to deliver us from the power of death.