| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net Speak the truth in love. Is that even possible? In the words of Jack Nicholson, "You Can't handle the truth!!!" If what I'm about to say (truth or not) will offend someone (anyone), shouldn't I keep it to myself? Isn't truth at the end of the day, relative? Let's sort it out. In John 8, Jesus is contending with the Pharisees. The upper echelon of the religious leaders of the day. They had stroke. Even the Roman Praetorian Guard would give them quarter. They settled all the legal disputes of the day (whether honestly of dishonestly), and resented Jesus' teachings and identity (a threat to their power) to the point of plotting to kill Him. Many times they tried. Many contracts out on Him. They were ever present, lurking in the shadows to catch him transgressing some minor point of the law. (I know what you're thinking, but I'm not going there). What was His reaction to their accusations? What was His attitude? What was His position, and therefore what should be ours? They can't refute His deeds, they can't refute His statements, so they attack His character. (still not) Vs 48 takes it to a whole new level "It's On". The single worst thing you could call a Jew, was a Samaritan. This actually paled the balance of their accusation, when they said: "you are a demon". Let's turn the Spiritual Switch. What is Love? The definition has been perverted. It is not sentimental emotion, not a condemning tolerance. After all, Jesus had already called them hypocrites, snakes, liars, sons of the devil, blind leading the blind into the pit, whitewashed cisterns and broken vessels (Matt. 23 and John 8). None of this was out of frustration or loss of control. Nugget: God's judgment in this life, is never punitive. Everything Jesus ever did, from being born into this world, to living a sinless life making Him eligible to be our substitute; God's propitiation (acceptable sacrifice), to dying (without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin) to His resurrection, Nothing was but for the purpose of reconciliation. "For this cause came I into the world", Jesus says, "to seek and to save that which was lost". So how does this play out in the confrontation Jesus is having with the Pharisees? They were dishonoring Him, but He was honoring The Father. In spite of all their public cruelty and disrespect, He invites them to trust His Word and "never see death" - vs 51. Nugget: This is ever consistent with all of Jesus' teachings. In 2nd Peter 3:9, we are reminded that God is not willing that any should perish, but that "all should come to repentance". Application. The most difficult to win to Christ are those who do not realize their need; those trusting in another gospel or a works gospel which is not gospel at all. Beware of Tradition Centered Religion. This is what the Pharisees were trusting in. And Jesus' attitude toward them? The truth in love. "Knowing therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" 2nd Cor. 5:11. "..He that hath not the Son hath not life, and the wrath of God abideth on him". John 3:18 and 36. Get it sorted out. God bless. |
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