The Dual Gift of Our Salvation

The Dual Gift of Our Salvation

John 5: 18-28

 

In John 5, we read about a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. This man went to a fountain which was supposed to bring healing. The man had waited for the Angel of God to stir up the water, but there was no one to help him into the water for healing. Jesus finds this man and hears the excuses why the man had not been healed. Jesus tells the man to pick up his mat and go home. The man did. 

Some of the Jews said that Jesus had broken the Sabbath and were angry that Jesus had equated himself to God by saying that God was His father. 

Jesus brings us gifts and benefits with salvation. Jesus tells the people who seek to destroy Him that He is doing what the Father has told him to and to give the gift which the Father gave. Jesus did the will of God and continues to work on our lives today. 

Jesus gives the gift of life.

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

John 5:21 ESV 

The man who was paralyzed for 38 years accepted the gift of life and was healed. Men like the Pharisees who rejected Jesus did not receive the gift of life. 

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:24 ESV

Paul explains in Ephesians 2:1-8 that in God's mercies been accepted because of Jesus' sacrifice.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-14 ESV

We are accepted not by anything we have done but because of what Jesus has done. It is Jesus who gives the gift of exemption from judgement.

For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,

John 5:22 ESV

The salvation we received is a total package. It covers the historical past and the future. In fact, Paul tells us that we are in heaven now with Jesus.

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:6 ESV

Paul also further assures us in Romans 8:34 - 39 that nothing can separate us from Jesus.  Jesus will not ignore our weaknesses. Jesus does the will of God and had work to do and continues to do.

So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

John 5:19 ESV

 Jesus is in us and continues to be in us. Jesus does not just overlook our sins but also guides us to become holy. Jesus brings light to us so the will of God will be done. 

Finally, let us remember that we have the Spirit of Jesus in our lives and we can walk with the spirit. 

that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:23-24 ESV