Do you Believe in Jesus Christ?
This Bible study examines John 11:25-26 when Jesus spoke with Martha before resurrecting Lazarus. It discusses physical death and spiritual life, and the identity of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus? What do you think of Christ? What you believe will determine where your soul spends eternity.
Pop Quiz:
You are going to die
True or False?
Most people would answer, “True.” In fact, most people would think this a silly question because everybody knows that everyone dies. But according to Jesus, that is not always true; it depends on you. Come study the Bible with me to get the answer.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Our Scripture today is found in John 11:1-52. We will focus on John 11:21-27.
Whosoever . . . believeth in Me shall never die.
Believest thou this?
John 11:26
When Jesus arrived in Bethany after Lazarus died, Martha expressed faith in Jesus that if He had been there, her brother would not have died (John 11:21). When Mary arrived, she said the same thing (John 11:32). They both had complete faith in the ability of Jesus to heal the sick. But Jesus is more than a great healer and He wants us to have greater faith than just this.
Martha also said she knew that whatever Jesus asked of God, God would give Him (John 11:22). This was a great confession of faith in Christ’s relationship with God and the power of His prayers. Still, Jesus wanted more.
Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again (John 11:23). The possibility that Jesus might raise her brother from the dead that day never crossed her mind. So she replied that she knew Lazarus would be resurrected at the last day (John 11:24). This demonstrated her belief in the future resurrection at the end of the age. But Jesus wanted still more.
Then Jesus made a marvelous declaration and questioned Martha’s faith. “Jesus said unto her:
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:25-26
There is a vast amount of spiritual truth packed in these two verses. Up to this point, Martha’s answers could have been made to a prophet of God, someone who was merely a man. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be much more than a prophet of God. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus declared that He is Life, and has power over death. In other words, Jesus is God, and eternal life comes through faith in Him as God.
Believing in Jesus Christ
Jesus explained that the one who is believing in Him would live even if he were physically dead.
The phrase, “he that believeth” is a present, active participle which denotes a present, continuing action. So those who are having a continuing active faith in Jesus Christ have eternal life. Physical death is of no consequence for those who have eternal life, because they will be resurrected physically with a new, incorruptible body.
Jesus declared that He is Life, and has power over death.
John 11:26 hearkens back to what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3-8 (you must be born again of the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God), and contains the answer to the quiz. The one who is living and believing (both present active participles) in Jesus shall never die.
Since this was said while talking about Lazarus, whose body lay dead in a tomb, it cannot be referring to physical death. It is referring to spiritual life. Anyone who has been born again spiritually and has eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ will never die spiritually.
The Three Quiz answers
The Quiz question of “Will you die?” has three answers:
1. True
Yes, you will die physically (Hebrews 9:27). Unless Jesus returns soon, we will all experience bodily death.
2. False
No, you will not die spiritually. If you have been born again spiritually by faith in Jesus Christ, you have eternal life and will never experience spiritual death (John 11:26).
3. False
No, you will not die spiritually because you are already spiritually dead. Only the living can die. If you have not trusted in Jesus as your savior, then you are already spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). In this case, you need to be born spiritually by repenting of your sin and believing in Jesus Christ.
What Do You Believe?
When Jesus asked Martha whether she believed, she replied,
“Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” (John 11:27 – ESV)
This was the confession Jesus was looking for. Martha finally confessed her faith in Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, who is the resurrection and the giver of eternal life.
What would your answer be?
Click here to learn how to be born spiritually so you will go to heaven when you die physically.
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