Letters to the Prison - Week 147

Hello, everyone.  Last week, John observed that the unbelief of the people who rejected Jesus despite all his miraculous works was providential – a part of God’s plan to bring his offer of redemption to all people.  This raised, as we saw, some alarming questions about our own beliefs… and our responsibility for those beliefs.  We could linger on these questions for a long time, but both John and Jesus have much more to say on the subject.  First, John:

• Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. - John 12:42-43

Here, John is plainly saying that even though Jesus would providentially be rejected by his own people, many of those people believed in him.  So, what’s the problem?  They believed… but didn’t confess it.  Why is this a problem?  Look what Paul says:

• because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. - Romans 10:9-10

So, here are people who see what Jesus has done, believe that he is who he says he is, and yet choose not to confess or act on that belief… for whatever reason.  Friends, this is where our responsibility comes in.  If we believe, but then that belief does not manifest in our lives through our thoughts, words, and actions, we are no better off than those who simply reject Jesus entirely.  In fact, we might be in a worse condition.  Pray that we would have the courage to live according to our beliefs!

Jesus has much more to say on this subject… and about himself.  To begin:

• And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.-John 12:44-45

This is about as clear a claim to be God as any other we might find.  Jesus, having claimed to be the Son of God sent by God, now says plainly that if you see and believe in him, you’ve seen and believe in God.  Continuing:

• I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. - John 12:46

Once again, Jesus claims to be the light.  Those who don’t believe his claims remain in darkness.
These are stunning claims.  As we think about them, we must ask ourselves how we would respond to some other human standing before us making these claims with any seriousness.  We’re not really left with very many choices:  The person is either lying, joking, utterly insane… Or, they’re telling the truth.  Jesus has so much more to say on this subject.  Until next week!  We love you.

Dean A.