In the book of John 8:31-47, the marks of true followers of Jesus and their rewards are listed in details and explained clearly that people of this generation will know clearly what to believe and where to stand:
First, the true disciples, learners, followers or children of God are those who hold on daily the words of Jesus. As what says in verse 31, "If you hold on to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." He taught the newly Jewish believers to keep doing all they learned and hear from him continuously and tried to open also the hearings of the pretenders protector of the law or the Pharisees and Scribes to believe also but they refused to accept Jesus teachings because of pride. The bible is the complete revelation of teachings of Jesus. A person doesn't have to look for other magical experience or to hear audible voice from different sources to obey what God wants him to do. Apostle Paul said to Timothy, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of god may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17
Second, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." verse 47. The Pharisees and the Scribes, both the teachers and the defenders of the law tried to find fault against Jesus to stop his growing followers and to discredit his teachings. They interpreted and taught the law but disobeyed the teachings of the author of the law, who is Jesus. Because of their unbelief, they insisted earnestly to kill Jesus. This message was given directly to these earthly vanguards of the law. They knew the law fully but their minds were full of anger, jealousy, pride, hatred, self-righteousness and others which are not coming from God but from the devil or Satan verse 44. These experts were slaves of sin and their master is Satan, For the thief comes to kill, to steal and to destroy but I (Jesus) came to give life and to have this more abundantly John 10:10. This verse shows us what is the ultimate goal of Satan compared to Jesus.
Third, the true followers of Christ are no longer slaves to sin and are now free from its power and punishment verse 31. They are no longer living in sin. As what says in II Corinthian 5:17, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away, behold new things have come." A person who truly accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior is no longer living in sin and no longer slave to sin. His new master is Christ and his delight is in the words of God. God blessed Job materially and spiritually cause he learned how to live blamelessly, uprightly, God-fearing life and shunned evil Job 1:1. So when the hardships in life came to him, he made to stand strong and had a clear and thankful heart and mind that led him to worship God in the midst of lost, death of his children, painful sores and humiliating words from her wife and friends, cause Job had prepared himself to undergo a spiritual discipline to go deeper in the words of God and to obey these more than anything else that's why he made to overcome the painful experiences that allowed by God through Satan. Job was set free from the power of sin that might result to fear, anxiety, and even to suicidal act due to extreme pain because of his unshakeable faith and love to obey the words of God. Job chapters 1 and 2. The words of God are his source of strength and wisdom in life Joshua 1:8.
Lastly, If a person loves the words of God, he loves God, the source of life, forgiveness, hope, joy, peace and even wealth. Choose today, whom you will obey and serve?
For more messages about life, forgiveness, inner strength and others, visit our website at http://www.savelifewithjoy.com and or our blogs: hopeandlifeforyou.com and Eugenio "EJ" Juarez or email us at agn623@gmail.com for your comments, suggestions and prayer requests.
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