"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE TO HELP A PERSON KNOW IF THEY REALLY ARE A CHRISTIAN"
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
John 8:42 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.
John 8:47 “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
John 8:51 “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
In this 8th chapter of John, there was a fierce back and forth between those who were against Jesus. Jesus was explaining who He was, and how to know if someone is truly a follower, a believer, a true Christian of not. There are many other ways of identifying the birthmarks of a Christian, so, here are just a few. This is also a chapter, the 8th of John, that is filled with many other important truths, i.e about Satan.
1. Those who know the Lord abide in His Words. keep obeying His teachings.
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
Here Jesus is explaining that those who are truly His disciples, ( those who are learning about Him ) abide, or remain in, and or keep on obeying His teachings. It's not our abiding in His Word, or our obedience to His teachings that make us a christian, no, we are made christians by repenting, and believing in Jesus Christ. But, if a person truly has come to faith, then this is one of the characteristics that will be clearly seen in their lives.
This is one of those birthmarks found in the person who has truly come to faith and is following the Lord as a disciple. They abide in His Word, and they obey what He teaches.
In fact, one time Jesus asked this very penetrating and revealing question to those around Him.
Lu 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?
Think about that question. Put yourselves in the shoes of those Jesus was talking to. What would be the right way to answer that question.
2. Those who know the Lord love Him.
John 8:42 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.
Here again, Jesus is describing the person who has God as their father. ( which by the way His detractors did not ) Simply put, if a person has truly come to faith, and God is not only their creator, but has now become their father, they will love Jesus. That's it, they will love Him. To love Jesus means, to have a have a true affection for Him. To dote upon Him. To welcome Him, to be fond of Him, to be well pleased and contented with Him.
3. Those who know the Lord hear God's Word, and those who don't do not hear His Word.
John 8:47 “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
Here's how it reads in the NLT. John 8:47 Anyone whose Father is God listens gladly to the words of God. Since you don’t, it proves you aren’t God’s children.”
To listen to, to hear means, to hearken, to give audience to, to attend to, consider what is or has been said. to comprehend, to understand.
Notice, that Jesus said to those who did not know Him, that they did not hear because they were not of God, i.e they did not truly know God. They thought they did, but here they were arguing with God himself, that is Jesus, and were attempting to trap God Himself, and ultimately, demanded that Jesus be put to death. They actually hated God.
4. Those who know the Lord, obey His teachings and will never die.
John 8:51 “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.
Jesus is actually repeating one thing He has said, but then adds another truth about those who know Him.
The person who knows the Lord will keep His Word, or abide in His Word, or obey His Word.
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. Again, here are three important things to consider about this matter of obeying Jesus.
(1) Obedience to Christ, is not what saves you, but, it is one of the marks of a person who is saved.
(2) Obedience to Christ is not perfect obedience, but, it is what generally characterizes a saved persons life.
(3) Obedience to Christ, Keeping His Word, means, You will never die, or experience the 2nd death, that is being separated from Him forever, in the lake of fire. It means you have eternal life now, and will leave this world and go right into heaven itself and be with Your Savior forever and ever.
Some questions:
1. Do you ever wonder if you truly are saved?
2. Have you in the past had more of an assurance about being saved than you do now, or are you very assured that You know the Lord.?
3. Have these 4 Scriptures helped you in giving you assurance of your salvation?
4. Do you know anyone who is struggling with assurance of salvation? And, would you be able to reach out to them and help them by sharing these wonderful and simple verses with them. ?
5. How would You describe the way in which these verses have helped you today?
6. Do you personally have any doubts about your salvation?. If so, please read through the verses again, and talk to the Lord about them, and about your doubts, and ask Him to clarify where you really are with Him.
A prayer:
Father, Your Word is our daily bread. And, no matter where we open it up day by day, it speaks to us and we learn of You. Thank You for the verses today, and how they are so comforting, and encouraging. Lord You want people to be saved, and You don't want anyone to go around thinking they are saved if they are not. You want them to know the truth, and these verses sure help lay the truth out. Please help us personally if we have any doubts, or are confused, or deceived about where we stand with You, and help us to help others who may have the same or similar struggles. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
