Day 41: The Problem of Immortality

John 5:24-30 : “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

Here, Jesus tells us that everyone will be brought back to life from the dead. He will give the command and everyone will be brought back. Here we find out more about how this eternal life works. Those who do good will be raised to life and those who have done evil will go to judgment.

Notice how it says that he who believes in Him will not come into judgment and later it says that those who have done good will be the ones who miss judgment. By believing in Jesus, you will become one who does good. This is an important thing. It isn’t by trying to be good that you become good. It is by believing in Jesus. This a critical change that Jesus made when He brought us His salvation. Jesus’ own way of doing things is an example for us as well.

He said that He “can of myself do nothing.” This is how it is for all of those who become Christians today. None of us can do anything of ourselves. If we think we can, we only fool ourselves (and make fools of ourselves). We need God’s power in our lives in order to do the good that we want to do. When God changed us, He made us want to do His will inside just like Jesus does. We should follow Jesus’ example and do nothing of ourselves. This will make it possible for us to live a good life like Jesus did.

Here we see the severe importance of human immortality. After this life, all will be raised. This changes everything. If the here-and-now was all that there is, then it would make sense to party and make the most of this short miserable life. The fact is, we are all going to shed our immortality. After that is when the most important things happen. This is why Christians focus on the time after death. That is the point of no return. Until then, everyone has a chance to believe in Jesus.