GOD'S PROMISES # 16

'I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.'

The literal translation of this statement is 'Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, death never will he see forever.'

This literal translation reveals [1] the attention drawn by the 'truly, truly' to the significance Jesus placed on this promise; [2] the deliberate identifying of his word - as opposed to all other words; [3] the intense nature of the negative; and [4] the limitless duration of this promise.

At first glance this strong promise seems to make its fulfillment dependent on obeying Christ's commands. We interpret 'keep' to mean 'obey' and 'word' to mean 'commands'. We do this because our hearts automatically understand our relationship with God to be gained and maintained by our own performance - by our own supposed obedience to God's laws.

But let us note: [1] the 'word' which we are to 'keep' is singular: it refers to the totality of the teachings of Christ, [2] to 'keep' is something far greater than obedience; it stands in opposition not to disobedience but to letting go of or losing.

To those who have embraced his teaching, Jesus gives this powerful promise: they will never see death, and this never seeing death lasts for ever.

What does this never seeing death for ever mean? Not physical death, for we all die. It refers, rather, to that death which is separation from God, the source and giver of life, to that death which is the result and just penalty of sin.

To those who keep his word - who neither discard nor deny his teaching about himself - the promise of endless, deathless, life is given.

Scriptures: John 8:51.