Never See Death?
"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins...truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death" (John 8:24, 51)
So what did Jesus mean when he said “you will die in your sins” and “whoever obeys my word will never taste death”?
First let’s be honest and admit that even believers “die”. All those who believed and followed Jesus during his earthly ministry died.
Jesus was simply saying that it was sin for the Jewish leaders he was addressing NOT to believe that he was sent by God as their Messiah. And since they did not believe this, when they died they would die in that sin of unbelief.
Now look at verse 51 when Jesus says to them “I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death”.
Again, be honest and admit that none who heard him say that are still alive, even his followers.
So what did Jesus mean when he said “whoever obeys my word will never see death”?
It has always been true that if it were possible to ALWAYS obey his word, then we would not die. It was true for Adam and Eve and it is true for us. However, let me ask you, do you always obey his word?
Neither did any of them, so we ALL see death as the Bible says...
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
So what did Jesus mean when he said “you will die in your sins” and “whoever obeys my word will never taste death”?
First let’s be honest and admit that even believers “die”. All those who believed and followed Jesus during his earthly ministry died.
Jesus was simply saying that it was sin for the Jewish leaders he was addressing NOT to believe that he was sent by God as their Messiah. And since they did not believe this, when they died they would die in that sin of unbelief.
Now look at verse 51 when Jesus says to them “I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death”.
Again, be honest and admit that none who heard him say that are still alive, even his followers.
So what did Jesus mean when he said “whoever obeys my word will never see death”?
It has always been true that if it were possible to ALWAYS obey his word, then we would not die. It was true for Adam and Eve and it is true for us. However, let me ask you, do you always obey his word?
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
And we know that salvation from death is a matter of the "grace" of God…
“By grace are you saved through faith…not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
And when will this salvation which we now have faith in become actual eternal life. Correct, at our resurrection after we die. It is a free gift to all who were born in Adam…sinners...
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise…For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…the dead shall be raised…death is swallowed up in victory.” (Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 52-54)
“By grace are you saved through faith…not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
And when will this salvation which we now have faith in become actual eternal life. Correct, at our resurrection after we die. It is a free gift to all who were born in Adam…sinners...
“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the dead in Christ shall rise…For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…the dead shall be raised…death is swallowed up in victory.” (Romans 6:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 52-54)
Most die in their sins like those Jewish religious leaders without believing that Jesus is their Messiah and Savior. And all of us will experience death because no one can obey all of God's word. But the gospel is the good news that we will all be saved out of death, into eternal life, as a free gift, when Jesus returns to raise the dead.
That is what a Savior does.
That is what a Savior does.