John
5:19-27 (NIV) Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son
can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the
Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even
greater things than these. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives
them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not
honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.
24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me
has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to
life. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead
will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as
the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in
himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of
Man.
NOTE: A few things
stand out in this passage. One is that the Father and Son are intrinsically
linked. Secondly, the Son has the Father's ability to give life to whom he is
pleased. Third, the Son is honored just as the Father (this latter statement
clearly establishes Jesus as equal to God the Father and not just a son of God
as some try to dismiss). Fourth, the Father has entrusted the judgment of
mankind to the Son.
Jesus gives the only
recipe for eternal life, to hear his word and to believe him (Jesus). There is
no condemnation for those who believe. At that moment, they cross from
spiritually dead to spiritually alive. We who have believed have an awesome
gift, no condemnation and eternal life. Why are we so slow and timid to share
that truth with those around us? Father, forgive me for my timidity. Open my
eyes to opportunities to share my faith.
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