Crossing Over
Crossing Over From Death to Life
You will die one day, and that is a problem. Jesus came teaching that he is the solution to your death problem, and he had a surprising way of solving it. He solved your death problem by dying on the cross. But this begs a question: How can Jesus' death solve our death problem? First, we have to know that our death is God's penalty for our sin (Rom 6:23). This is why we all experience death. And this is why we all dread death and think of it as an enemy to our lives (1 Cor.15:26) But Jesus made the amazing statement that not everyone who dies, will die. God is giving you a chance to not die, but to live forever (John 11:25,26).
What did Jesus mean by saying that not all who die, will die?
Jesus came teaching that he himself is the answer to death and every other evil that we can imagine (John 6:35). He came teaching that he is God's solution to your sin and the spiritual and physical death that burdens you (Matthew 11:28). He spent his life teaching and showing what it means live a truly good life, and he did not hold back criticizing the way people live that hurt themselves and others. But he did not just come to criticize, he came to do something about our evil ways, he came die for the evil of mankind (John 12:27). His death was not a tragic accident, it was God's plan, so that you don't have to die for your sin. He took upon himself the punishment for your sin, and he experienced the death you deserve when He was crucified on the cross (John 3:16). Jesus' death was not the end of the story. On the third day after his death he rose again from the grave. This is an historical fact that proves Jesus did not just claim he was sent from God to save us (1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection from the dead also shows that he defeated death, and that he opened the way for our life after death (1 Corinthians 15:54,55). Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life”(John 14:6). This is what Jesus means when he says that he brings good news for you. The good news is that Jesus came so that you can cross over from death to life.
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).
Jesus was sent from God himself so that you could have this great gift of being be set free from evil ways, and then rising again from the grave and living forever with God, just as Jesus rose from the grave and is now alive with God the Father (Romans 6:8-10). So even though you will die like everyone will, you will rise again from the grave to eternal life.
How do I receive this gift from Jesus?
You are to receive this gift is by confessing your need for God's mercy and by turning away from evil ways and committing to live the way God wants you to live as taught by Jesus. The Bible calls this repentance. You need to commit to leave sinful ways and to following Jesus and his way of life. The Scriptures are God's teachings for you that you will need to begin to learn as you seek his way of life. As you do this, God promises to forgive all your evil ways and to give you his Spirit to guide you and lead you in following Jesus.
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him”(John 14:21).
Following Jesus is a Life-long Commitment.
In order to be forgiven of our sins forever, we must commit to following Jesus for our whole lives. This means, that we must commit to learning how God wants us to live in every aspect of our lives, our friendships, our jobs, and marriages (Ephesians 5:8-10). This too is good news, because God knows what is best for us and what will provide peace and joy in this life and the life to come. Also, in order to be forgiven of our sins forever, we must commit to following Jesus for the whole length of our lives, right up until our death (Hebrews10-35-39). God promises that if we don't give up, just like Jesus didn't give up, we will rise from the dead just like Jesus did and live with God forever with full joy and peace (Jude v.20-21). This earth will be re-made into a place of peace and prosperity for all who belong to God (Rev.21:4,5).
Jesus Promises to Always be With you as you Follow Him.
There will be days when this life-long commitment won't be easy. But Jesus promises to walk with you by His Spirit everyday of your life (Matthew 28:20). You enter into a “fight of faith,” but you will not be fighting alone. He will guide you and teach you as you join up with other believers in a faithful church. Also, you may experience times of failure, when old evil ways come back. Jesus promises to continue to forgive and cleanse you of these old ways as you live honestly before him, confessing your sins to him (1 John 1:9). God's mercy is available to you as you pursue this lifelong commitment (Matthew 5:7).
The First Step
The first step that Jesus asks us to take, as a sign of our repentance, is to be baptized in water by a faithful church (Acts 2:38). This is an important sign of your commitment. Jesus himself was baptized before he began his ministry for you. As you go into the water, this represents your cleansing from sin, you go in dirty, but you come out clean because of Jesus' death for you (1 Peter 3:21). As you come up out of the water, this represents new life, coming up from the grave and raised to a new life of living in God's ways (Romans 6:4) Your adventure of following Jesus begins!
“This is the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” - The apostle Peter from Acts of the Apostles (10:36)
“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life and will not be condemned, he has crossed over from death to life.” - Jesus Christ from the Gospel of John (5:24)
“May God bless you, and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
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