"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." John 5:24.
This is Jesus speaking in this verse, the word "verily" means truly, and by repeating it twice, He is emphasizing the importance of what He is about to say. "He that heareth My word": This speaks of more than just hearing (or reading) something without giving it any real thought, but rather, allowing His word to penetrate our minds, to consider it deeply, and be willing to act on it.
"My word", in this context, is referring to the gospel message that Jesus is teaching. He would have us to truly consider, and think about the need of repenting (or turning our lives over to Him), being honest with ourselves, realizing and acknowledging our need of Him.
"Believeth on Him that sent Me": God sent His Son to be the sacrifice, to pay the penalty for our sin. Do you believe in God? Do you believe that He is the creator of the world? "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 (New Living Translation).
We will either spend eternity having "everlasting life" in Heaven, or we will spend eternity in everlasting condemnation, and suffering, and torture, in Hell.
"But is passed from death unto life": Scripture says "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" and "The wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23. Since we have all sinned, we are seen by God as being dead in our sins, but by believing on God, and the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we are "Passed from death unto life." This is salvation, there is no other way to be forgiven, and accepted of God, and assured of everlasting life, than by believing the gospel message.
Please don't think your life has been to bad, or that you have to try to clean up your act before you can ask God into your life. He wants you to come just as you are, without delay, for He says "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved". Romans 10:13. and "Whosoever" includes YOU!!
If you are not assured of where you will spend eternity, please stop right now, and make a simple, but heartfelt prayer to God, acknowledging you have sinned, but you desire to turn your life over to Him, and that you believe Jesus died to pay the price for your sins, and that you want to receive Jesus by faith, as your personal Lord and Savior.
Sinner, hear the matchless story;
Listen simply and believe;
From the risen Lord in glory,
Life, eternal life, receive.
