John 5: From Death to Life

Some people think getting to heaven is complicated. You have to say the write prayer, check off the right list of do’s and don’ts, attend church, volunteer, help the poor, stop smoking, and on and on. But is this really what Jesus had in mind?

Not according to John chapter 5. In fact, Jesus makes getting to heaven sound fairly straightforward. He shares in one verse, “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.”

There is a message; there is belief in Christ’s message; and there is eternal life.

Some would say this sounds easy. Too easy.

Following Jesus might be difficult, but starting the journey actually only takes two parts–Christ’s message and our belief in that message.

When we believe, we actually begin eternal life starting at that moment. Eternal life has already begun for us.

This is encouraging in the sense that we have a new life that has started and will last forever. Yet it is also convicting, as we are challenged to live differently as a result of this new life. That’s the hard part.

Jesus came to give life; this new life allows us a fresh start. The best news is that this start does not begin in heaven after this life, but has already begun. We have moved from death to life.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author or co-author of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of the New Testament in 2011 at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.