There are two things here which at once stand out to the mind with equal prominence the smallness of the conditions and the magnificence of the offer. The salvation of a man's soul is simply a matter of capitulation. All that God requires of His creatures, who have become by sin first rebellious and then hostile, is surrender absolute, unqualified surrender. The terms of this capitulation are simply two hear the messenger and believe the mission. The proffered result is instant security of life that life infinitely prolonged, and no punishment.
I. This life which Christ offers to every man is a present possession; it is a fact. The moment that you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ you live, and there is no more death. The elements of death are taken away. You did die with Christ upon the Cross, as a member of His mystical body. Now you as essentially live with Christ; therefore, there is no more death for ever and ever.
II. Secondly, this life lasts. In that life which you have had to do with, and which you used to live before you became a Christian, there was nothing Very lasting; either the thing itself passed away, or the zest of it went, or your power to enjoy it ceased. In this life nothing perishes, because it draws out of the infinite; it is a life with hidden springs in God, and therefore there is eternity in it all.
III. There is nothing now behind; there is no condemnation to you; there is nothing hanging over your head; no future to be afraid of, for your sins have already been condemned and punished in Crist. Being in Him, and continuing in Him, there will be no processes of prosecution, there will be no terror. The old sins lie buried, there is no resurrection for forgiven sins, they will never appear again; they shall not come into judgment.
J. Vaughan, Sermons,3rd series, p. 121.
References: John 5:24. R. Thomas, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xii., p. 17; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxviii., No. 1642; J. Hamilton, Works,vol. vi., p. 464.John 5:24-30. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. iii., p. 495.John 5:25. Church of England Pulpit,vol. v., p. 197; Ibid.,vol. xix., p. 277. John 5:25-28. C. J. Vaughan, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xv., p. 26 2 John 1:5 :27. Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 97. John 5:27-29. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. v., p. 451. Joh 5:28, John 5:29. Ibid.,vol. xii., p. 54; W. Landels, Christian World Pulpit,vol. iv., p. 412; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xv., No. 896. John 5:30. Homilist,new series, vol. ii., p. 385.John 5:32. H. Calderwood, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxii., p. 266. John 5:35. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 95; J. Hamilton, Works,vol. vi., p. 86; M. Dix, Sermons Doctrinal and Practical,p. 272; Homilist,vol. vi., p. 350; Ibid.,third series, vol. i., p. 329; W. Braden, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 65; J. Brown, Ibid.,vol. xxxiv., p. 168; G. Huntsworth, Ibid.,vol. viii., p. 65; Preacher's Monthly,vol. v., p. 36 2 John 1:5 :37, John 5:38. Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxii., p. 65.