Those who have done what is good will rise to live

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” ~John 5:28-29

These two verses were always difficult for me to understand until I dug a bit. We know from other scripture that we are immediately face to face with Jesus when we leave our earthly bodies - the thief crucified with Jesus was told, “Today you will be with me in Paradise” - no one is hanging around in their graves. We know from Mark 10:18 that “no one is good - only God is good”. And Jesus said, “I have not come to condemn but to save”; Jesus suffered the judgment for us - the condemnation, in place of us, AS us. There is NO condemnation in Christ. [Romans 8:1]

Jesus spoke in metaphor most of the time - “I am the vine”, “I am the bread of heaven”, “You are the salt of the earth”, “I will make you fishers of men”, etc. So maybe this passage follows His style of speaking to His followers. Perhaps “those who have done what is good” is referring to our new creation in Christ and “those who have done evil” is our old sin nature that has been erased by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ to go to the cross for us. We came “out of the grave of sin” when we recognized and believed in our Savior.

If we are to be judged for the good and bad deeds we performed on earth, then the judgment that Jesus faced on humanity’s behalf meant nothing [Galatians 2:21].

Father, let those who don’t know you, hear the voice of Your Son. Especially, our family, friends and loved ones. We long for them to live an authentic life in Your love, to know that their old sin nature has been condemned and feel that freedom - the glorious freedom of children and a peace that passes all understanding. Amen!

Have a blessed day!

Bonnie
Blessed Be Boutique

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