“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” – John 5:24

Hearing and believing. The key to eternal life really is as simple as this. Hear the word of Jesus – hear the teachings of the Bible. Then, believe what God said and revealed through Jesus. Through that belief comes forgiveness of sins, removal of judgment and condemnation, and the gift of eternal life.

Note well that eternal life isn’t some vague promise for the future. It isn’t a benefit that only takes effect when we die. Eternal life is what we already experience once we believe! We who were dead in our sins are made alive in Christ. We come alive spiritually, drawn into deep relationship with God our Father in Heaven. We have passed from death to life forever!

This verse reminds us not only of the good news we receive through faith in Christ, but the importance of sharing that good news with others. Those who have not heard the message of Jesus and thus haven’t had the opportunity to believe will come into judgment unless that changes. As followers of Jesus, we have responsibilities with eternal consequences! We must help others to hear Christ’s word and pray they will believe. We must also support and pray for those helping others to hear Christ’s word in hard places. The stakes are too high – we have so much work to do!

“I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”
– Psalm 57:2

David thought he knew God’s plan for his life, and yet it certainly didn’t seem to be happening! Though he’d been anointed as the next king of Israel, David was fleeing for his life from the current king. Hiding in a cave, it would have been understandable for David to question whether things would ever work out. But he didn’t!

David knew God had a purpose for his life and was confident that even at that dark hour, God would fulfill His purpose. We know that He did! We must remember this for ourselves as well. God has a purpose for your life. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then the truth of Ephesians 2:10 is your truth, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

God has uniquely prepared good works for you to do. There are disciples to be made, people to be loved, the gospel to be shared, praises to be raised, service to be performed…uniquely by you.

In darkest times, you may doubt this. You may question your purpose, your significance, or how you could possibly do these things. Know that God can and will fulfill His purpose for you! In those dark hours, cry out to God Most High! Trust Him. Lean on Him. Work in His power rather than your own. May His will be done in your life and the lives of all His beloved sons and daughters!

“And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” – Judges 2:10

We aren’t born with detailed knowledge about God. We don’t automatically believe in Christ (or even know His name). Whether we realize it or not, we rely on people to tell us about God and point us to His Scripture. Certainly, we’re all born with eternity in our hearts, giving us an innate sense of something greater than ourselves. We also have the ability to look at nature and discern the existence and general nature of a Creator. However, we don’t naturally know anything more about God. We don’t automatically know about His will and His works. Somebody must tell us about God or point us to the Bible.

Throughout history, there have been times when God’s people failed to diligently tell their children and grandchildren about God. It began in the time of the judges, in the first generation after Joshua’s leadership. The results were disastrous! Idolatry, disobedience, immorality, and God’s judgment upon the land and His people.

It seems we may be in such a time today! Parents are tired, stressed out, focused on too many other good things. Kids are tired, stressed, and anxious. Too many don’t push through these barriers to teach the things of God. We must remember how quickly the knowledge of God can disappear from a people – it can happen in a single generation!

Though God’s Word will remain available, a failure of parents or grandparents to pass on the knowledge of God to the young can produce a generation unaware, unconcerned, and uninterested in the glorious truths of God. What young person in your life needs to know the Lord and the work He has done through Christ?

“By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.”
– Proverbs 11:11

Scripture frequently teaches us that God’s people are to bless the community, city, and nation in which they live. Nonetheless, it can be easy to forget that lesson as we get focused on church activities, family life, and the responsibilities and burdens of work. It can also be easy to forget our role as we grow frustrated with the brokenness and sinfulness of the culture and community surrounding us.

Nonetheless, for those who serve our Sovereign God, we know that our addresses are no accident! We’ve been placed here to love, serve, and heal the brokenness and suffering that surrounds us. This is what it means to be salt and light as Jesus commanded. Salt preserves and gives flavor. Light illuminates darkness. We live in a dark and decaying world, in communities with places of sorrow and suffering, whether hidden or visible. Through Christ, we can offer light, hope, healing, and renewal. That isn’t just a spiritual task, but is a call to practical, Spirit-driven service in the dark places near us.

Our city, state, and nation ultimately won’t be healed by those opposed to God. Rather, the people of God must assume their responsibility to bless, to help, to heal, and to lift up our city. For some, that looks like being elected or appointed to leadership roles. May God bless and strengthen them, using them to bless their city and land. However, our call to bless doesn’t usually imply assuming any role of authority. Scripture quite often calls and depicts God’s people blessing their city from lowly and even humiliating roles of service. Wherever you are, and whatever role God had called you to, may you be faithful in serving and blessing those around you, that God may receive the glory!

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” – John 3:36

Belief in Christ is never mere mental agreement! Acknowledging that Jesus existed and agreeing to a few historical facts about Him is not belief. Belief in Jesus, as Lord, as the Son of God, always entails living like that’s true. Genuine belief accepts Christ’s Lordship and submit one’s life to His Lordship.

Biblically, we can’t separate belief from the desire to obey Jesus. If we try, what’s left isn’t belief that saves us from our sins or causes God’s righteous wrath to pass over us. As followers of Jesus, our faith should be compelling us to increasingly pursue obedience to Jesus. We should want to become more like Him and follow His example more closely.

Our work of obedience to Christ doesn’t save us, but it proves our faith is truly saving faith. In every Christian, there should be evidence of ongoing life change. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we should not be the same today as we were on the day we first believed in Jesus. Praise God for that!