What does "hears My word and believes" imply about our daily actions? Opening the Text “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) The Two Key Actions: Hearing and Believing • Hearing—more than noticing sound; it is attentive, receptive listening that grants Christ’s words authority over us (Romans 10:17). • Believing—placing full trust in “Him who sent” Jesus, embracing the message as truth that directs decisions and priorities (Hebrews 11:6). Implication #1: Intentional Listening Shapes Behavior • Schedule regular exposure to Scripture—reading aloud, audio Bible, corporate worship. • Filter voices—evaluate news, entertainment, and advice by Christ’s words (John 17:17). • Stay teachable—invite correction when Scripture confronts habits or attitudes. Implication #2: Belief Produces Obedient Action • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Obedience proves love for Christ (John 14:15). • Daily choices—speech, finances, sexuality, work ethic—become tangible expressions of faith. Implication #3: Confidence in Eternal Life Motivates Present Faithfulness • Secure status—“has eternal life” is present tense; security frees us from fear-driven living. • Courageous witness—certainty of life beyond death emboldens gospel conversations (2 Corinthians 5:8–11). • Perseverance—trials are temporary bumps on an eternal road (Romans 8:18). Implication #4: Reliance on God’s Authority, Not Self • Jesus ties belief to “Him who sent Me,” grounding faith in the Father’s reliability. • Decision-making shifts from self-reliance to prayerful dependence (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Humility grows as we submit every arena—family, career, politics—to God’s revealed will. Walking It Out Today • Start each morning with a gospel promise from Scripture; speak it aloud. • Memorize one command of Christ each week; practice it intentionally. • Replace worry with a whispered “I believe You, Father” whenever anxiety surfaces. • End the day reviewing where you heard and obeyed—or ignored—His word; confess quickly and realign. Whoever “hears My word and believes” moves through daily life listening, trusting, and acting, already tasting the life that lasts forever. |
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