“Believe In Jesus; Do Not Die In Your Sins!”

“Believe In Jesus; Do Not Die In Your Sins!”
We are over familiar with Jesus asking the twelve, “Who do people say I am?” And when they had given him the various responses of who people said he was, Jesus now asked them, “Who do you say I am?”
Today we see another side of the story concerning Jesus’ identity question. While teaching in the temple area Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him that his testimony was invalid because he was his own witness.
Inter-alia he told them further, “I am one who testifies for myself, my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” This led to further questioning from them, “Who are you?”
“Who are you” even in our time has a pejorative connotation! In other words, it’s like, “See who is talking?” My people would say, “If not because the whiteman has given teeth to fowls, could you talk where real men are talking?”
All the same, Jesus answered them, I am “just what I have been claiming all along.” Prior to this response Jesus said, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin… I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”
Jesus also made known that when they had lifted him up, they would know “I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” This unit ends with, “Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him”(Jn. 8:12-30).
To speak in God’s name is to listen to him speak to us first, even as we do sing, “Lord speak to me that I may speak…”
Believe in the words of Jesus, do what he expects so that you do not die in your sins! Strive to be among the many who put their faith in him when they hear his words! Don’t wait for tomorrow; there may never be a tomorrow for you! Turn now to the Lord for grace and mercy!
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you are the Son of the Father and that your word is the light of life! Holy Spirit, enable me live life in the light of life! Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday and happy fellowship! Peace be with you!