Believe

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58 ESV)

Imagine the implications of this conversation for the Jews. It is the feast of Tabernacles, and Jesus is in the Temple. The Pharisees begin questioning Jesus, and it becomes heated. The Jews cannot recognize that Jesus is telling them He is the Son of God. Jesus says many things to indicate this: “You are from below; I am from above; you are of this world; I am not

of this world. “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. (v.42), “if I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. “It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, He is our God.’ (v.54). Jesus told them who He was, but they could not hear his words.

We can only hear the Gospel when God has enabled us, his elect. Those who hear the words of the Gospel and cannot understand what it means may never be saved. When Jesus said, “I am,” the Jews in the Temple were enraged. They called Him a blasphemer despite all the signs and miracles Jesus performed.

What would happen if right now the scripture of Revelation was fulfilled? What if He came again, on the clouds, just as He said? Would they believe it? Would that be enough to make the world turn around? The run-up to the return of Christ is proceeded by many things, yet even when He comes on the clouds, scripture tells us they will not believe. C.S. Lewis said the door to hell is locked from the inside. I believe this. They won’t believe because they do not want to believe. The world wants to live how it wants and not be compelled to follow anyone who tells them contrary to what they, the world, want to hear.

If you don’t know Christ and He came on the clouds, would you believe then? Would that be enough for you to fall on your knees? I hope it takes a lot less. Christ died so that you may be restored in your relationship with God, experience the love of the Trinity, be forgiven your sins, and receive salvation from your sentence to hell for your rebellion against God.

God loves you. Know that no matter what you have done in your life, He can forgive you. It just takes faith in Christ. Do you know Him? Reach out if you do not, please, reach out.

May the peace and grace of Christ be with you, and may you come to know His love and mercies.

Peace and Grace.