John 5:24 (NASB)
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

As we read Scripture, it is very important to pay attention to the words of Jesus. Especially when they start with, "Truly, truly, I say to you ..." It is when this is said that Jesus has an especially important truth to teach.

He tells us here that those who listens to what He says and takes it to heart by faith possess eternal life. This gift He gives to us is not something that maybe we will receive if we are "good" enough, since no one is good enough or ever will be good enough. No, it is based on faith in what Jesus has done for us through His life, death on the cross, and resurrection. It is based on believing and relying completely on what He says. And this kind of faith is transforming and sanctifies the life.

Those who wholeheartedly accept the words of Jesus have nothing to fear. Such people do not face the judgment that ends in death, but have escaped it and entered life. Believing on the name of Christ turns a "guilty" verdict into a "not guilty" one. It is little wonder that Christians through the centuries have faced martyrdom with calm and peace. They believed in Christ, in all that He said, and had the assurance of eternal life.

God wants us to have such an assurance in our relationship with Him. May we all learn to believe what Jesus says and have the faith that gives us great joy, peace, and assurance.