THE STORY OF JESUS: John 8:42-47
“The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47)
If you struggle with faith or following Jesus, do not take these words against you.
Jesus is not in the business of making struggling disciples doubt themselves.
Jesus was trying to shake up and wake up these proud religious people.
He basically says – if you really loved God, you wouldn’t be trying to kill people.
How do we know if we belong to God?
If the things Jesus says makes sense to us, and we want to be like that.
This is the sign that our hearts are open to God.
God isn’t noting the perfection of our efforts, but the genuineness of our desire.
People who love God will desire kindness, generosity, forgiveness, patience, etc.
People who love Satan will desire greed, lust, selfishness, cruelty, bitterness, etc.
Jesus is challenging proud religious people – all He sees is hate and deception.
Don’t take Jesus’ challenge as against you, but listen to what Jesus says.
Check your heart, can you say, ‘Lord, I admit I am not like You, but I want to be!”
Rest assured, you belong to God.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for gently challenging us so that we will see our hearts. I admit that I am not like You… but I want to listen to You, I want to follow You!