Jesus wants us to clearly understand the difference between his followers and those who have rejected his teaching. In this world, there are only two roads to travel. Either you follow Jesus who was sent by God to save you from destruction or you are blindly dragged along in the enemy’s net. The Jewish leaders known as the Pharisees did not accept the teachings of Jesus. They claimed God to be their father but Jesus knew better and let them know.
“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.” John 8:42 (NASB)
We are in the middle of a great war between good and evil. Our enemy is the devil who actively pursues us on a daily basis. Jesus is our salvation. The Pharisees started out as godly men and were manipulated by the devil to the point that they could not see God standing in their presence. Jesus let them know that their blind allegiance to the enemy was now their guiding force.
“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 (NASB)
The Pharisees had made a choice to satisfy their selfish ambition for power and authority by ignoring the obvious truth. Jesus was clearly a man without sin. Only a man sent by God could live a life completely without sin.
“Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” John 8:46-47 (NASB)
If you are a true follower of Jesus you are a child of God. Those who have turned their back on Jesus are trapped in the devil’s snare. There is salvation in Jesus. Those who have been trapped by the devil can be set free. Jesus is waiting with His loving arms open wide. Even though the battle between good and evil continues to rage in this world, Jesus has already claimed victory in the heavenly realms. When Jesus returns, the enemy will be completely destroyed. Until that day, stay close to Jesus and that victory will be yours as well.
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