Live Accordingly

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

LIVE ACCORDINGLY

John 8:25-30

25 "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. 26 "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world."  27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."  30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.

NIV

Jesus is who he has been saying he is all along, so why are some so resistant to the truth? It is also noticed that Jesus said he had much to say in judgment of them, but he had just also said that he does not pass judgment on anyone. If he does not pass judgment on anyone how can he have so much to say in judgment of them? It is true that he actually does not judge people, as he came to die on the cross for all people, so that whosoever believes in him would not perish but have everlasting life. But the word he speaks the truth he speaks is judgment against those who do not listen and believe. It is the truth that is judgment in that sense. If we do not believe the truth which Jesus spoke then we have place judgment upon ourselves. All people are able to be in a non-judgmental relationship with Jesus, they only need to believe. Jesus does not judge us, he died for us, but the truth stands in judgment of us. The other truth which strikes a chord here is about God the Father always being with Jesus. The reason is always with him is because Jesus says he always does what pleases him. Would that imply that God would leave him, leave us if he, if we did not do what pleased him? Surely that might lead us to think we have to continually be in fear of God leaving us whenever we fail to be perfect. Maybe that is why so many believers try to convince themselves they do not sin anymore. But that is not the case, as the truth is not about God leaving us every time we fail, or fall short of perfection. Jesus told us that he would be with us always to the very end of the age. True he also said in that statement we should teach people to live by his commands, to make disciples, but he would never leave us. God the Father will never leave him, even on the cross when Jesus felt as if he was alone; God did not leave him because Jesus was doing what pleased the Father. What can we do that pleases God, how can we live in order to please God so that he will not leave us? Although it is true that we should live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness, which is good and pleases God our Savior, but the best way to please God is to accept his Son as our Savior. It is God’s desire that all men be saved, that they come to knowledge of the truth. Being a believer, accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, being born again, is the best way we could ever please God. In doing this we can be assured he will never leave us.

It may be at times we when we fail him so miserably, we wish he wasn't there with us, but he is. When we do or say things which we should not do or say, guilt and shame flood our being, but that comes from Satan, not God. Sure he does not approve, or like our behavior, but that does not mean he abandons us, judges us, and condemns us. Yes, we need to repent, we need to ask for forgiveness, but he is always with us, always faithful and always loving toward us, forgiving, without reservation, always protecting, always hoping, always trusting and always persevering. His love never fails; he will be with us to the end of this age. So we should make every effort to live accordingly.