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, ESV)
The vast majority of people reading this devotional are considered amateur golfers. The USGA defines an amateur as someone who plays golf for fun and does not receive compensation for playing or teaching golf. Most statistics reveal that around 99.7% of all golfers are amateurs.
If you are a student of the game, you know that there have been some incredible amateur golfers in its history – Jones, Nicklaus, Woods, John Ball, Jr., Margaret Curtis, Carol Semple Thompson, and Juli Inkster, to name a few. Some of these turned professional, while others remained amateurs.
Most recently, we’ve seen world #1 amateur and Florida State Junior Luke Clanton earn his PGA Tour card in just 10 months. The transition from amateur to professional golf is a mighty task that takes tremendous time, talent, and energy.
Similarly, one of Scripture’s keystone teachings is passing from spiritual death to spiritual life. In John 5, Jesus begins to face opposition from many within Israel, triggered by His healing on the Sabbath (v.2-9).
In response to the Jewish leadership desiring His death for breaking the Sabbath and claiming equality with God (v.18), Jesus establishes His authority as the Son of God (v.19-30). Through this authority, Jesus asserts that to dishonor the Son is to dishonor the Father (v.21-23).
Then, in v.24, Jesus makes it very clear – 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.
We know from the teachings of scripture that we are born sinful (Psalm 51:5, 58:3; Romans 5:12-14) and are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3). The coming Judgment is when all believers and unbelievers (Romans 14:10-12) stand before Christ to hear of their eternal destiny (2 Corinthians 5:10).
In Chapter 5, Jesus clearly states that to believe in Him for salvation and redemption is to pass from death to life. Because the believer has looked solely to the Lord Jesus for salvation and not their own merit or efforts, there is no longer any condemnation for their sinfulness (Romans 8:1, Psalm 103:12).
Those who choose to reject Christ and the gift of His death and resurrection will come under the judgment of God – a judgment that sentences the unrighteous to eternal death and torment (see Romans 2:5-7).
To pass from spiritual death to eternal life is the gracious workings of Jesus in the heart of the professing believer. Glory to God! If this is you, rejoice in the goodness of God today. Proclaim to Him the depth of gratitude you have in receiving life and life abundantly (John 10).
If you characterize yourself as unsure of it all or even acknowledge you remain in your sinfulness, look to Christ now, by faith, and confess your sins and need for salvation from Him.
And if you are alive in Christ, worship the King, love your neighbor, and serve the Kingdom.
Prayer: Almighty God, by your grace, I have placed my faith in Jesus to deliver me from spiritual death to life eternal with you. Thank you for saving me! Amen