Stephan Hoffman

‘Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.  John 5: 24 (NIV)

Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and calls God his own Father (v18). The Jews were very upset when they saw and heard that.  How can this man say he is God’s son? He is making himself equal with God!  Jesus said that God had sent him to judge everyone, but whoever hears his word and believes in God who sent him has eternal life. They have already crossed over from death to life.

To be a believer means that we will one day rise from the dead and live with God for all eternity, however, our faith is not only restricted to the future. Jesus says we have already crossed over from death to life. Our relationship with God changes the reality in which we now live. Our outlook has changed; we see more and live differently to the way we would live without God. Through Jesus Christ we are new people who are no longer trapped in the harsh reality of time and space. We are part of the kingdom of God which stretches beyond the boundaries of space and time and will stand for all eternity.

It is not always so easy or simple to maintain the greater perspective, sometimes life can be so overwhelming that we begin to doubt. Precisely at such a time, we realise just how precious God’s Word is. There we can find perspective and hope in his Word. Here under the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can find strength to vigorously press forward and proclaim – Jesus is Lord!

Prayer: Lord, I sometimes wrestle so much with my circumstances that I lose sight of you. Help me to cling to your Word and your promises. Thank you that I can already experience and apply the strength of your great love now. Help me please to look beyond my situation and experience your greatness. Amen