In what ways can we "cross over from death to life" today? The Promise Jesus Gives “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) Hearing and Believing: How the Cross-Over Happens • Hear His Word – receive the gospel message as objective truth. • Believe the Father who sent the Son – trust His testimony that Jesus is the only Savior (John 3:16-18). • Result: immediate possession of eternal life, freedom from condemnation, and a completed transfer out of spiritual death. What Changes the Moment We Cross Over • New birth – God makes us alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:4-6). • New residence – delivered “from the dominion of darkness” into Christ’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13). • New identity – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). • New family – love for fellow believers evidences the transfer (1 John 3:14). • New trajectory – raised to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). Living Evidence That We Have Crossed Over • Growing love for God and neighbor (1 John 4:7-11). • Desire for holiness and obedience (John 14:15). • Ongoing repentance when we sin (1 John 1:9). • Bold confession of Christ before the world (Romans 10:9-10). • Inner witness of the Spirit assuring us we belong to Him (Romans 8:16). Remaining in the Life We Have Received • Abide in His Word daily (John 8:31-32). • Rely on the Spirit’s power, not self-effort (Galatians 5:16-25). • Gather with believers for worship, teaching, and mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Celebrate the Lord’s Supper, remembering the price of our passage from death to life (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). • Keep looking to the risen Christ, the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26). Practical Steps for Today 1. Open Scripture, listen to Jesus’ words, and reaffirm trust in the Father who sent Him. 2. Thank Him for the completed cross-over—done, finished, irreversible. 3. Walk in the light you now possess: forgive, serve, give, speak truth, love sacrificially. 4. Share the message; invite others to hear and believe so they too may cross over. Encouragement to Rest in His Finished Work The same voice that called Lazarus out still calls today. Once He brings you from the tomb of sin into life, no power can pull you back. Stay near, stay grateful, and let the life you’ve received overflow to a world still waiting at the threshold. |
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