1. The word “belief” was a major theme in the Gospel of John
2. The Lord calls people to believe in the Gospel
3. Some speak of believing in Him
4. All declarations of “believing” ought to be checked carefully
5. Not checking:
a) An unwise thing
b) A mistake
c) People can be further helped if they could have their faith checked
A RESPONSE NOTED
“As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.” John 8:30
1. The Lord Jesus was explaining a number of things
2. These were complex things:
a) The issue of His witnesses (John 8:13-20)
b) The issue of His departure from life on earth (John 8:21-29)
3. Could they really have understood all He had said?
4. Could they really have believed in Him?
The Lord Jesus had His doubts!
CHECKING UP ON THEIR PROFESSION OF FAITH
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’.” John 8:31-32
1. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him
a) The Lord Jesus addressed these Jews who said they believed Him
b) He had every reason to check their so-called Faith
c) These Jews:
i) They had been hostile
ii) They had been cunning
iii) They had been resistant
iv) They had sought to find fault in everything the Lord Jesus had said
v) They had no visible indications of faith at all
2. If you abide in My word
a) A key test would be found in the word “abide”
b) Would they actually abide in the word of the Lord Jesus?
i) What about their traditions that were wrong?
Would they give them up?
ii) What about their teachings that were wrong?
Would they set aside those teaching they had grown up with?
c) How much of the Word of the Lord Jesus had they learned?
i) Salvation in the Lord Jesus?
ii) The Lord Jesus and His relationship with His Father?
iii) The Lord Jesus as the Bread of Life?
iv) The Lord Jesus as the Light of the world?
3. You are My disciples indeed
a) This would mean identification with the Lord Jesus
b) Would they take up the cross and follow Him?
c) Would they truly be His disciples?
4. Knowing the truth that makes one free
a) Only when they were disciples would they know the truth
b) And the truth that the Lord Jesus taught would make them “free”
i) Free from the power of sin
ii) Free from the power of the devil
INSTANT REACTION FROM THE JEWS
“They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”John 8:33
1. Claim of being Abraham’s descendants
a) This was a strong tradition
b) Great pride in being Abraham’s descendants
c) Their misunderstanding:
i) They will be blessed by God because they are Abraham’s descendants
ii) All that God had promised Abraham was theirs by their“birthright”
d) They forgot that Abraham had been justified by faith in God
e) They did not have a personal faith in God but still believed they will be justified because of Abraham
2. Claim of never been in bondage to anyone
a) This was a false claim
b) Israel had been in bondage to the following:
i) Egyptians
ii) Assyrians
iii) Babylonians
iv) Medo-Persians
v) Greeks
vi) Romans
c) They rejected what the Lord Jesus said about being made free
THE CALM REPLY OF THE LORD JESUS
“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” John 8:34-36