Resurrection? Yes! For everyone? No! by John

Resurrection? Yes! For Everyone? No!

I've read the Book of John so many times, I should know it by heart, but I don't. I do learn something every time I visit it. Today, something struck me that caused me to ask and answer the questions above.

I've written before that John 5: 24 led me to put my faith in Jesus, and a wonderful change came into my life that is still working. Without that change, I believe the life I was living would have resulted in an early death. I never dreamed of being 83 years old! In John 5: 19, 24 and 25, Jesus is quoted as beginning His statements with "amen, amen" the actual Greek words. These stressed how important these statements were.

First, He stated He could do nothing alone! He could do anything He saw His Father do because He walked in His Father's footsteps.

Second, His Father showed Him everything He Himself was doing, so the Son could do those things as well.

Third, greater things lay ahead. He had just healed the lame man by the Bethesda pool, but He would be giving life to the dead just as His Father did.

Fourth, in 5: 22, He added that the Father would not judge anyone, but had committed judgment into the Son's hands, and it seems to me His statement of judgment here is in the words, "He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." If you think you honor the Father without honoring Jesus, you should think about that again!

Fifth, in 5: 24, all who believe in His Father, and "hear" (listen to and obey) Jesus' words, have eternal life (that's right now), and will not be condemned. Jesus has already judged him. Jesus has passed him from death to life already!

Sixth, in 5: 25, Jesus' Father has life in Himself, and He has given that life into His Son. He stated that the time had come for the dead to hear the voice of Jesus and live.

Seventh, in 5: 28, Jesus said those in the graves will hear His voice, and they will all rise. He does not say that everyone will rise at the same time, or at different times, but He does go on to say those who have done good will rise to life. Those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

There are many who refuse to listen to all of the words of Jesus, but there it is. All will rise, and they will not rise to live together. As much as we Baptists emphasize the importance of believing, it is what people do that Jesus says He will judge. I used Baptists as an example since I am one, but others preach and teach the same thing, and we all believe it is correct. Our reasoning is that when we are born into a new life, our total objective is good. We sin for sure, but our overall objective is to be like Jesus. We believe "evil doers" are not wholly evil people. They may do many good things, but they do it for a reward of some sort. They overlook Hebrews 11:6 and other verses that proclaim the same truth. It says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Paul, in Romans 8:8,9 says, "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." That is the secret of life with God. We deliberately give ourselves to Him, and He makes us His children. Romans 8:16,17 say, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." All of God's redeemed family are alive and will continue to live throughout eternity.

I'm writing this hoping readers will consider their future and talk to God about it. Call it prayer or just a conversation. The important thing is to make contact with our Heavenly Father. You probably won't hear Him speak although some have. After all, faith is believing when you have no concrete proof. If we did, faith would not be needed.