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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Judgment Begins With the Household of God, #2
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 [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
The above passage from the Gospel of John has caused numerous believers to believe that God will bring them to Paradise no matter how they behave.
It is not difficult to understand how a novice could interpret this announcement to mean Christians are not judged and rewarded according to their works as are all the other members of mankind. But the fourth chapter of First Peter prevents any such conclusion. We must look more carefully at the Lord's statement and interpret it in the light of the writings of the Apostles.
There is condemnation resting on the whole world. The nations, living and dead, are awaiting the Day of Judgment.
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; (Romans 3:9)
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick [living] and the dead. (I Peter 4:5)
The Day of Judgment began with the coming of Christ. It commenced with those whom Christ chose to make spiritually alive in His day.
The Lord Jesus walked among the people of Israel. Of this multitude He selected some to pass from death to life.
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will [makes alive whom He will]. (John 5:21)
Jesus spoke to the elect, the chosen: "If you hear My Word and believe in God you will not come into judgment but have passed out of death into life."
Death and life can proceed only from judgment.
Christ is saying, "If you will put yourself in My hands, I will assume all responsibility for your guilt (made possible by His subsequent death on the cross, by the blood atonement). By receiving Me you have received the Resurrection and the Life. You already are alive eternally. You do not have to work for your salvation any longer. I am here. I am your Salvation!"
Does this mean the job is finished and we now are waiting to go to Heaven and reside there forever? Not at all! This is not what Jesus said; this is not what Jesus meant.
We do not work for our salvation but we certainly have to work it out!
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)
Going to Heaven is not being discussed here (in John 5:24). The issue is eternal death versus eternal life.
For those who receive Him in sincere faith Jesus removes the condemnation resting on the whole world. In so doing the Lord Jesus, the Judge of all men, has made an initial judgment concerning those who have received Him. He has judged them to be worthy of eternal life and has given it to them.
To be continued.