“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5:24 NKJV).
When studying the book of the Apostle John it's quite evident that he was a man who paid careful attention to the words of the master. No man spoke like Jesus and this is evident in scripture. His speech, as well as confessions, were extraordinary, and in our opening verse, the Lord Jesus made a powerful confession on everlasting life (eternal life—the life and nature of God; the type of life that once a man receives it, ceases to be ordinary, for this life confers immunity to sickness, disease and infirmity. This is same the type of life Jesus referred to in John 10:10).
Let's delve into the scriptures for a further study of the masters' proclamations:
“Therefore my Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This command I have received from my Father” (John 10:17-18 NKJV). Jesus went on to proclaim "the Father is in me" (John 14:10). He also confessed "I am from above" and not of this world (John 8:23). He said in John 14:10 "the Father's in me and I am in the Father" (a confession of His inseparable union with the Father). In John 15:10 He said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." What remarkable proclamations!
Now, observe the thought process of the Apostle Paul, exhibited in the book of Philippians 1:20-25. When faced with a decision only he had the onus of making, which was to choose whether to continue living or to die (both of which were to his delight), he wasn't sure which to choose—life or death? In the end, he chose life, and that was for the sake of the Saints so that they could grow unto maturity in Christ. Nonetheless, the major point here is that Paul's words were exactly as those of master Jesus when he said He could choose whether to live or to die; Paul could talk like Jesus!
The question which ensues from this is: Can we as Christians think and talk like this? Well, Paul was a New Creature in Christ and so are we (2 Corinthians 5:17)! Through revelation, the Apostle Paul made several statements concerning us. He said, "For we are members of the body, of His flesh and of His bones" (Ephesians 5:30). In 1 Corinthians 6:19 he lets us know that we're temples of the living God, meaning we house the divine presence of God.
Hebrews 13:5-6 conveys, "...for he hath said... so that we may boldly say...." This scripture alone lets us know that all these wonderful proclamations were written not just for our knowledge but so that we may speak them! So the answer to the aforementioned question is yes, we are permitted to speak like Jesus. We too can say "I and the father are one", "I come from above (Heaven)", "God lives in me" or "When you've seen and touched me, you've seen and touched the Father!"
Child of God, it's not enough to know about eternal life, your union with the Lord and your origin. Be bold to declare who you are in Christ. Proclaim it and don't stop saying it, Hallelujah!
Confession:
I'm the temple of the living God, a carrier of divinity. God abides in me in the fullness of His ability, glory and splendour. I'm an extraordinary being, a Heavenly citizen, completely immune to sickness, lack and death. Yes, I live above the world and its systems, for I know who I am, Glory to God!
Further Study:
John 14:10-11 NKJV
John 15:4-5 NKJV
John 15:30-31 NKJV
John 17:21 NKJV
1 Corinthians 6:17, 19
Philippians 1:20-25 NLT
Philippians 3:20 NLT
2 Timothy 1:10
1 John 5:11-13