(John 30-47, ESV)
In Part 2, we saw that ultimate healing is almost too good to be true:
“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” (Jn 5:24).
Jesus calls this the “resurrection of life,” which is the polar opposite of the “resurrection of judgment” (Jn 5:29).
So the third reason for answering yes to the title question of this three-part series is not about what you get in pursuing perfect unity with God, but what you must avoid at all costs – judgment!
Unity with God means unity with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, because those three persons are One, the very heart of the perfect unity that Jesus prays for later in John 17. Believing the word of Jesus and repenting of sins is the entry way to eternal life.
Notice, though, the humility of Jesus – he is not commanding here. He is pleading with those he loves so dearly – all who believe – to recognize Jesus’ authority to pass judgment:
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true” (Jn 5:30-31).
Well, then, who does bear witness concerning the judgment of Jesus upon those who did evil during their lives and did not sincerely repent?
“You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved” (Jn 5:33-34).
The Baptist is a pretty credible witness, wouldn’t you say?
But far more than that, is the witness of the Father Himself about Jesus:
“But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me” (Jn 5:36-37).
Jesus is asking the Jewish leader, “Do you want to be healed?” They truly are sicker than the pathetic invalid at the pool!
“But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me…How can you believe, when you…do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?...There is one who accuses you: Moses…For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me” (Jn 5:42-46).
So perfect unity with God means not only:
- I want to be healed from all my sins by repentance according to the Word preached by Jesus and rise to eternal life through his never-ending love; but also, …
- I want Jesus to heal me and to testify, as a result, that I will not come into judgment and eternal death.
Answer “Yes!” on your knees right now.
And tomorrow. And the next day.
And every day until you meet him face to face.