The Voice of the Son Of God

There is a voice like no other, a voice that called the world into being. There is a voice which speaks truth and is Truth. There is a voice which is Life and gives life, the voice of the Son of God.
Some Scriptures speak to the mind and heart and bring forth a good assent, to hear and obey them is good and the purpose for which they have been given. Other Scriptures thunder like a clapper striking a bell and posing the question “Do you ring?” Does your heart resonate with these truths? Has the infinite abyss of sin and weakness, which is man, called out to the infinite abyss of mercy and strength which is God? John 5:25-26 is such Scripture.
Joh 5:25-26 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”

Jesus begins this saying with what we translate in the KJV as “Verily, Verily.” Literally it is “Amen, Amen” The word “amen” when uttered by Him, who is the Amen, betokens not only the truth of what is to follow, but also the sure fulfillment of it without doubt or question.

Next in His words He reveals the time frame for what He is about to say. It is clear if you study this chapter in its entirety that it refers to the general resurrection from the dead. That is the hour that is coming. The hour that now is, however, can well apply to the personal resurrection of the soul that is dead in trespasses and sins.

Yes, praise God, the hour comes when all the dead shall hear His voice and rise again to judgment, but even now those who hear His voice shall live! He has life in Himself, not as a communicated attribute or state, and as a result can communicate this life to others. How does this communication take place? It takes place by hearing His voice.

Often today we tend to think that the life flows by saying the “sinner’s prayer” or otherwise responding to the preaching of the Gospel, but really it only happens by His voice. The “sinner’s prayer” or other similar methods are only valid if they are the response of a dead soul coming to life in response to the voice of the life-giving Son.

As seen in John 10:27-28, those who are Christ’s sheep are those who hear His voice. It is to those that hear His voice, are known by Him and follow Him that the promises made in these verses apply.

1. I give unto them eternal life. (this is not a once off donation, but is present and continuous in the Greek). The Father gave the Son to have life in Himself, we however constantly draw it from Him (John 15). It is a contemporary error that is very common to view eternal life as something we enjoy only in heaven. The life we live now is eternal so long as it is lived united to the Eternal One. Our deeds done now have an impact on our eternal reward and if we are living in oneness with Christ we should also be living with an eternal vision in our life.
2. They shall never perish. This is a very emphatic expression in the Greek. It is utterly impossible that they perish. The qualifications are hearing His voice, being known by Him, and following Him. These do not apply to those who do mighty works in His Name but practice lawlessness, because to those He says, “I never knew You.” Those who practice lawlessness can and do perish.
3. They shall not be plucked out of My hand. Jude commended those to whom he wrote “Unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless…” The power of Christ is boundless, and when worked for our good, what great good it will accomplish! It is my firm conviction backed from these Scriptures that Christ has never and never will lose one who comes to Him hearing His voice and following Him. The ones that are lost are those who listened to other voices and followed those other voices.

What voice are you listening to today? Have you heard the voice that is incomparable in your spirit? The second Adam is a life-giving spirit and He will quicken you as you hear His voice. If today you hear His voice and you are known of Him, then follow. As you follow your end is sure!