GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 385 August 17, 2011
JOHN
Chapter Five
The purpose of the GoodNewsLetter is to explain Scripture. John Five is great for learning about salvation. In John, as well as the entire Bible, it is extremely clear on what it takes to trust God. John shows that Jesus, alone, is the way to be saved. And, that means initial salvation; as well as, service.
Jesus is our Savior and Lord. That's so clear that, before long, we understand that Biblical LESSONS HONOR JESUS and His doing; not us. Eternal life comes only from Him. We learn that His work elevates Him within our hearts. Indeed, His love fills our hearts when we trust in the Person of Jesus, who died for our sins.
For further words on salvation, let's hear what Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me," John 5:39. The words are from the Kings James Version. Here's the New American Version: "You search the Scripture, because you think that in them you have eternal life: and it is these that bear witness of Me," John 5:39. Notice: Scriptures testify of Jesus. We are saved in His work. When we study, we understand this glorious truth.
Both versions state that the Bible is God's Word. However, both versions show that ETERNAL life comes only through Jesus, the Christ. The Jews missed Scriptural meaning and denied that Jesus was the Christ. They did believe in the Law, but their view was from their leaders who taught them; one of doing. The Pharisees, et al, poured over the Law, daily. They studied the writing of Moses wearing the wrong glasses, however. What they saw was their work and, their doing. They just couldn't see trusting in the Messiah apart from the Law. So, the Jewish nation worked and, the Jewish nation denied.
We must read God's Word. Studying is a good thing! The Word is inspired by God, Paul teaches us (2ndTim. 3:15). But, too many miss the import of Scripture. Just as the Jews did, we see far too many who trust in their knowledge of the Bible and their actions, rather that the Person that the Bible honors, Jesus, the Christ.
People today, as the Jews, believe that their church, their baptism and their doing, become so important that, if they stopped doing or left the church, salvation would be lost. That's not what the Bible teaches, at all.
The Word testifies! We have to remember that! The Bible is a testimony of Jesus. We are told who Jesus is and, what He did. Further, Scripture teaches that Jesus was the only man who did God's will. The testimony was that He was without sin and, because of His sinlessness, the Law was repaired when He paid the price of sin on Calvary. That's an eternal testimony. Do you believe it, alone?
Like the Jews, sadly, too many miss the means the a new life by trusting in their doing; not, in Jesus who had no sin. But, to those who trust in Him, salvation is the gift. And, it's free for every sinner that repents. This, of course, means that every man born is a sinner. All men come up short of what God expects (See Romans 3:10, 23).
In John, the Baptist's witness to the truth, we read that Jesus was the Son of God (5:33). He was perfect and, He was without sin. If we listen carefully to the words in the Book of John, we will see a true witness of Jesus. "The very works that I do, bear witness of Me," Jn. 5:36. The works of Jesus proved that His Father sent Him.
Need further proof? This time, hear the witness of His Father. "And, the Father,"... He has borne witness of Me," John 5:37. At that time, Jesus annnounced the eternal verdict upon the Jews. The verdict condemned them. And, that verdict falls on all mankind if they fail to trust in Jesus, alone. "And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent," John 5:38.
Therefore, if we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we will study to learn of Jesus so we may obey what He taught. This is the way Biblical faith operates. Never, never do we trust in our doing of what He taught. Any re-doing will never bring salvation. Mankind, we must remember, misses the mark and sins each time. Man's effort is useless.
As we look to the Word as a witness, we see that it isn't what we do, it's our trust in Jesus, the Person. It isn't what we do, it's trusting what He did. Only Jesus completed the deal and finished the work demanded by God. Thus, on the cross, the blessed testimony of Scripture records Jesus saying, "It is finished" (Jn 19:30).
There are millions that have a KIND-OF-TRUST in Jesus. They think that life comes by doing a tenet or, fulfilling some Law; such as, "honor thy parents" (5th commandment). But, what Jesus demands is LOVE. "But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves" (Jn 5:42). Everyone must learn that love comes by trusting in Jesus and, loves continues by trusting in Jesus.
Let's get the Love of God and, keep the Love of God, by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9). After all, John 3:16 testifies that, "God so loved the world that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." God gave and men receive. Now, that's grace.
Back in chaper five, verse 47, Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Then, Jesus shows that 'believing in Him' is the same as 'eating of Him.' "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall llive forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh" (5:51).
John's words clearly shows that Jesus, alone, gives us salvation; both, from hades and from this dead life, as well. Salvation is finished but, as we repeat the title verse, we have to study. "You search the Scriptures...and it is these that bear witness of Me," John 5:39.