chapter four
THE LIVING WORD
These words
that I speak are not my own, but come from the Father who has sent
me. They that hear the words that I speak, and believe in him who
has sent me, will have everlasting life. They will not be condemned
but will pass from death to life.
Listen: the
hour is coming, and has already come, when even the dead will hear
the voice of the Son of God, and whoever hears his voice shall live.
You search the
ancient prophetic writings because you are seeking the path to eternal
life. The prophets themselves testify clearly of me. And yet, you
hesitate to come to me that you might find new life.
Though not appearing
to you personally, or speaking to you audibly, the Father has born
witness of me. By refusing to believe in me, the one sent to you
by my Father, you close your ears from hearing the very voice of
God. How is that some of you say, regarding the one whom the Father
has set apart as his very own and sent into the world, "He
commits blasphemy because he says, 'He is the Son of God'?"
I tell you now:
I am the way, the truth, and the life; no on can recognize the Father,
except by my introduction. Only the breath of God gives life. Your
earthly body grows old and will eventually fail, but the words that
I speak to you are filled with God’s breath and are life.
I do not pass
judgment on those who hear these words and do not believe; for I
have not come to judge the world, but to rescue it. Be warned; those
that reject my words will be held accountable: the truth that I
have spoken will stand as their judge on the last day.
Surely the heavens
above you, and the earth beneath your feet, will one day pass away;
but the words that I speak will never pass away.
turn to chapter five: THE FATHER
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