João 5:24

DISCOURSE: 1627
THE BELIEVER’S HAPPY STATE

João 5:24. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent we, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

THAT there will be a future judgment, we all know: and that Jesus Christ is appointed to be the Judge, is also generally acknowledged. But what his rule of judgment will be is very imperfectly understood. That our works will be inquired into, and form the ground of decision either against us or in our favour, is admitted on all hands: but that our principles will be scrutinized, and enter most essentially into the consideration of our Judge in determining our eternal state, is far from being generally expected or conceived. Yet that is declared by the Judge himself, even by our blessed Lord, and in the plainest terms. Having told us that “the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son,” he adds, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Now, from the manner in which this truth is affirmed, we see at once both the certainty and importance of it: and therefore, with confidence, I will set before you,

I. The character here described—

Of course, our Lord did not mean to say, that all who heard his discourses, but that all who so heard them as to make them the rule of their faith and practice, would be saved. Consider then,

1. What the great subject of our Lord’s discourses was—

[He represented himself as sent by God the Father to expiate upon the cross the sins of men; and “to bring in an everlasting righteousness,” whereby all who should believe in him might be saved — — —]

2. What must of necessity be experienced by all who should receive it aright—

[They must feel themselves sinners, deserving of God’s wrath and indignation. They must be convinced of the utter impossibility of ever reconciling themselves to God by any works of their own. They must see Christ to be the true Messiah, sent by God to be the Saviour of the world. To him they must apply themselves, and to God the Father through him; having no hope but in his blood and righteousness, nor any plea whatever but his obedience unto death. In the daily habit of their minds they must come to God by him with deep humiliation and with fervent prayer; and must consecrate themselves to God as his obedient servants, determined to follow, without hesitation or reserve, his revealed will.]
Such, in few words, is the character described.
We notice,

II.

The blessedness connected with it—

This is set forth as it exists,

1. In prospect—

[“Never” shall a person of this character “come into condemnation.” However much he may have provoked the Divine displeasure in former times, he now enjoys “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” However God’s anger may have waxed hot against him at a former period, “it is turned away from him now,” and all “his iniquities are cast into the very depths of the sea.” He has nothing to fear. Being “found in Christ,” “there is no condemnation to him:” on the contrary, he is “presented faultless before God,” and “stands before him without spot or blemish”— — —]

2. In possession—

[“He” already “hath eternal life,” both in title and in actual possession. He can claim eternal life, as given to him by covenant and by oath. Numberless are the promises made to those who “lay hold on God’s covenant;” and he may confidently rest upon them, expecting every one of them to be fulfilled in its season: for “it is an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure:” and sooner should heaven and earth pass away, than one jot or tittle of it should ever fail.

But it is not a mere title to it that he possesses; for it is already begun in his soul. He has actually experienced, so far as it respects his soul, a transition similar to that which will hereafter take place in reference to the body. He once lay, as it were, in the grave, altogether “dead in trespasses and sins:” but now “he has passed from death unto life.” A new principle of life has been infused into him; so that he has new views, new desires, new pursuits, and new habits: and is altogether “a new creature in Christ Jesus.” “He lives no longer to himself, but unto him who died for him, and rose again.”]

The whole of this subject being so plain and obvious, I have not judged it necessary to enter very fully into it in a way of discussion, that I may have the more time to improve it in a way of application.

Two things, then, I earnestly request of you, my beloved brethren:

1. Inquire carefully into the state of your souls before God—

[Inquire whether, like Mary, you are sitting at the feet of Jesus, and receiving with obedient regard his every word. Say whether his written word be your daily study and delight; and whether you diligently apply to yourselves his preached word, for the correcting of every sinful habit, and for advancing the life of God within you — — —

Inquire whether, in obedience to his word, you are relying solely upon him, and coming to the Father through him, and pleading his merits and mediation as the only grounds of your
Carry your inquiry yet further; and see whether your transition from death to life be so clear and manifest, that it admits not of any reasonable doubt. Are you “crucified with Christ” to all the vanities of this world? and are you “living entirely by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” “receiving every thing out of his fulness,” and improving every thing to his glory?
If these things be indeed your daily experience, then is all the blessedness annexed to such a state your assured portion. But consider, I pray you, the sad alternative. If these things be in you, “you shall not come into condemnation:” but if you have only the appearance of them, and not the reality, then does condemnation await you at your departure hence; yea, our blessed Lord expressly tells you, that “you are condemned already, and that the wrath of God abideth on you [Note: João 3:18; João 3:36.].” What a fearful thought is this! How can you bear to live in such a state, or endure even to have your state a matter of doubt or suspense? If it were at an earthly tribunal only that condemnation awaited you, it were a tremendous prospect: but to be condemned by the Judge of quick and dead, and be sentenced by him to everlasting misery, is so terrible, that I wonder the apprehension of it does not utterly overwhelm you. My heart’s desire and prayer to God for you, brethren, is, that not one of you may be ever subjected to such a doom as this.]

2. Pursue with all earnestness the blessedness that has now been set before you—

[Surely it is worth seeking for, and will richly repay all that you can either do or suffer to obtain it. Were you urged to commence a life of suffering, such as the devotees of idols inflict upon themselves, you might well undertake the painful task, and submit to all that could be inflicted on you. But we call you to nothing of this kind. We invite you only to come to Christ, and to “hear his word, and to believe in the Father who hath sent him:” and shall this be deemed hard? Even in this present life, the blessedness of having a title to heaven, and the very life of heaven begun in your souls, would richly repay you: how much more, then, will all the glory and felicity of God himself, so far as a creature can enjoy it, recompense your labours? Be in earnest, brethren. There is nothing under heaven worth seeking alter in comparison of this. Let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom:” and in dependence on it, go to the Father, and “lay hold upon him,” and remind him of his covenant: yea, take all “his exceeding great and precious promises,” and plead them before him: and see whether it shall be in vain to call upon God. No, indeed: He will be merciful unto you: he will seal a sense of his pardoning love upon your soul; and make himself over to you as your God and portion for ever. Call to mind the assurance given you in my text: “Verily, verily, I say unto you.” Thus shall it be done to the believing soul. What more can you want to comfort and encourage you? Only come to God in his appointed way, and all this blessedness shall be yours.]