Don't Be Too Quick to Assume

John 9:1-3 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

There truly is nothing new under the sun, to include how quickly we make assumption about what we think we know or what we think we understand; especially when it comes to assuming why God is doing what He is doing. Because of what the general belief was about sin and how it affected people, the disciples made an erroneous assumption that this man's blindness was either the result of his or his parents' sins. Far too often we come to wrong conclusions because our human, sinful, tendency is to think the worst of someone, rather than think the best; even though God commands us, in His Word, to think of others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). He also tells us that love thinks no evil (1 Corinthians 13). On the flip side of this coin is the fact that we must also be careful to not presume to know what God is doing, or why He is doing what He is doing, when it comes to the allowance of suffering in our lives or someone else's. There are often times when God allows things that do not seem to make sense to us, or do not seem fair. Yet, God knows exactly what He needs to allow to bring glory to Himself. Not to mention the fact that He promised to work all things together for good, to them who love Him, and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). So before we start making false assumption about other people's situations or suffering, to include our own, why not first turn to God in prayer and ask Him. He may reveal the reason, or He may not. In the end, it is best to simply trust that whatever He is allowing and doing will turn out for the best and always for His glory.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

We Serve One Who Is Alive

John 8:53, 56, 58 "Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?” Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Today there are many who are no different than these Jews. These Jews stood before God, in the flesh, yet they gave greater reverence to one who once lived, but is now dead. As a result of their unbelief and their choice to be stiff-necked toward the truth of who Jesus was, and is, they remained enslaved to the Law and to sin. If we are not careful we can easily fall into the trap of finding our importance and significance in the religious rituals and legalistic rules we make up for ourselves, which in and of themselves are dead. There are far too many Christians who measure their "level of Christianity" based on how well they keep God's Law. Although the Law is dead to us, and we have been set free in Christ, the Law still serves a purpose. It is a reminder of how incapable we are of keeping God's Law, and should make us all the more grateful for the fact that in Christ we have been given life; and that we do not serve a Law that brings death, but serve a God who is alive, and is our Living Hope. The Word of God is very clear that if we love God and love our neighbor, we fulfill the Law. Rather than deceive ourselves by thinking that religious rituals, church attendance or our own good works (without faith), are what give us life and status, let us instead remember that we serve a Living God in who we have life eternal. Therefore, let us put away our sad attempts at finding importance in who we think we are based on superficial credentials, and live a life that exalts Jesus, who gave His life for us so many years ago, but today is very much alive.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Death Is Defeated

John 8:51 "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."

These Jews were completely missing the point of what Jesus was saying to them. The word "keep" means "to guard or to attend to carefully". It means that we are to not only pay close attention to and understand it, but also obey it. It is important to understand that what Jesus spoke of here was not physical death. Physical death, today, is unavoidable, unless the rapture happens. Outside of that, we will all see physical death. However, for those of us who have trusted, believed, and called upon the Name of Jesus, and accepted Him as our Savior, we will never see spiritual death. This is what Jesus spoke of to these Jews. Their lineage could not save them. No matter how much they tried to keep the Law, which they could not, that would not save them. No matter what traditions they made up, it was pointless as far as salvation was concerned. The point being that eternal life, an escape from eternal death, can only be found in Jesus, and Him alone. Although we are called to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, none of our works can add to our salvation. Our works can do nothing to add favor to us in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. All the favor we will ever have has already been bestowed upon us by what Jesus did for us on the cross. When He said it was finished, it was finished. The only thing our works prove is our faith; but only when done by faith, and as a byproduct of our salvation. The bottom line is that there is no condemnation for those of us who have heard His Word, believed it, and followed it unto salvation. If we have done that, then the Spirit has sealed us, indwelt us, and we are now a child of God forever; and death can no longer have us. If we are to show forth evidence of that, then we are to love Jesus, not just by being hearers of His Word, but also by being doers of His Word. In Jesus, death is defeated, and by His grace we share the victory!

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Who Is Our Father?

John 8:42-44 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

There is only one of two families that we belong to. We are either the children of God or the children of the devil. If we have truly called upon, and trusted, Jesus as our Savior and Lord, then we are children of God. If we have not, then we are children of the devil. Sadly, there are many children of God who are still behaving like they are still children of the devil. 2 Corinthians 5 tells us that we are new creatures in Christ when we accept Him as Savior. We no longer view God or man as we used to. This means that as new creatures there must be a change in our thinking and our mindset. Our changed, or renewed, thinking should lead to a change in our behavior and how we live. It was pretty evident, by the way these Jews treated the adulterous woman, and the way they spoke to Jesus, that they did not know God, and did not belong to Him. Jesus put it in simple terms for them. If God were truly their Father, they would love Jesus and would understand His words. Does our life give evidence that God is truly our Father? Is our love for Jesus more than just lip service? Do we prove our love for Jesus by how we obey His commandments? Do we love God and love our neighbor by what we do, and not just by what we say? If we do love God, then we need to live a life of truth...God's truth.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Ignorant Slaves

John 8:33-34 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 

How ignorant these Jews were about how enslaved they really were. They claimed to be free, while in the midst of being oppressed by the Romans. They also neglected to admit that in the past Israel had been under the oppression of other nations because of their sins and rebellion against God. Here, they failed to see that they were not only enslaved physically, but they were also spiritually enslaved to sin and the Law. The church today is no different. Far too many Christians are blind to their own sins, but like these religious men, are always ready to cast the first stone at others for their sins. Jesus warned us about removing the plank from our own eye, before attempting to remove the splinter from someone else's eye. Sadly, this same attitude is seen even amongst Christian leaders. The Pharisees held on to the fact that they were descendants of Abraham, and that they had the Law, and held that to higher esteem than the spiritual truth and true freedom Jesus was offering. Part of the problem that has created this mindset is that too many Christians have categorized sins from "not so bad" to "bad" to "worse" to "unacceptable". Therefore, it is fine to condemn people for the "unacceptable" sins, such as rape, adultery, and murder, but we can give a pass to the "not so bad" sins of gluttony, gossip, and causing division; just to name a few. The bottom line is that our religiosity will not set us free. Our church attendance, or ability to memorize and quote Scripture, will not set us free. True freedom comes from Jesus, and Him alone. There are far too many of us who are walking around like we are free, and do not realize that we are actually still enslaved to our own hypocrisy and sins. We have chosen to become ignorant slaves.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Boundaries of Freedom

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

How much time do we dedicate to God's Word? Jesus made it clear that His disciples abide (continually remain) in His Word. We hunger and thirst for the truth contained in the Scriptures. This is the same truth that sets us free from sin, guilt, fear, and condemnation. Jesus had just set the adulterous woman free from the judgment and condemnation of those Pharisees who did not have the right to judge or condemn her. Jesus is the Truth who breaks the chains of bondage in our lives. Hebrews 2:14-15 clearly tells us that Jesus has destroyed him who had the power of death, the devil, and released us from the fear of death that held us hostage. The Lord has freed us from self, the world, and from those things that have kept us from being truly free to love Him and serve Him. We cannot claim to be His disciples and yet not have a desire to read, study, and live out His truth. The enemy wants us to believe that God wants to keep us from enjoying life here on earth, and feel imprisoned. On the contrary, the boundaries found in God's Word are actually boundaries of freedom that allow us to live this life with true freedom; a freedom that brings joy, peace, and the ability to live a life that is honoring to God and most profitable for the Kingdom.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Our Ever Present Protector and Guide

John 8:12-13 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

It was obvious that the Pharisees understood exactly what Jesus was claiming when He made the statement that He is the Light of the world. He was in the Temple area where the candles were lit and burning; a symbol of how God appeared and led Israel out of Egypt, as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In Exodus 13 we read the account of how God showed Israel that He was present with them, and how He was protecting them and guiding them. It was evident by the Pharisees' response that they knew that this was the reference Jesus was making, and that in saying what He said, He was claiming to be God Himself, and their Messiah. Yet, they chose to reject Him. Today, Jesus is still the Light who is ever present with those of us who have trusted Him, called upon His Name, and accepted Him as Savior and Lord. He has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He is our Protector. Just as He stood between Israel and the Egyptians in the wilderness; today He stands between us and the world, and reminds us that when tribulations come, we have His peace, and in Him we can overcome, as He has already overcome the world and its challenges and persecutions. God has also given us His Holy Word to be a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path, so that we do not stumble in darkness. Jesus is the Light who dispels the darkness and the fear associated with it. God has also given us the Holy Spirit to seal us and make our bodies His temple and dwelling place here on earth. The Light of the world wants to shine His light brightly through us so that we can be the light and salt He has called us to be; while at the same time He reminds us that He is always present, always protecting us, and always available to guide us.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).