Jesus is still speaking to the religious leaders who are upset that he healed a man on the Sabbath and he claims to be the Son of God.
click here for an online Bible John 5:31-47
Jesus raises a good question. Why should we believe him? Maybe because John the Baptist said we should. Even Jesus said that’s not enough. He said that we can believe because the testimony about him is from God. Nicodemus recognized that. He said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.” The gospel of John speaks of the signs performed by Jesus. The signs prove that he is from God. The final sign, his resurrection, proves that his message is true.
We have a faith that is not blind faith. There is evidence for Christianity.
Notice what Jesus says about the scripture. He tells the people that they have been looking to the scripture for eternal life. They believed that they could receive eternal life by following the Law of the Old Testament. Jesus said that the Law just shows that we are sinners in need of a savior.
I am so thankful that Jesus stepped in as the savior so we don’t have to try to be good enough for God.
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This is the verse that touched me today, John 5:389-40 NIV "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
When I was first born again I hadn't yet studied the Bible or read it cover to cover. When I would talk with Jesus He would give me a scripture cite and I would look it up. It was always right on point and so I began to think that I didn't need to read the Bible. Big mistake on my part!
After a very short time I found that He no longer gave me scripture as an answer and my knowledge of Him began to be lacking.
I didn't understand why until I joined a two year Foundations study that looked at key points in the Bible from cover to cover. And He began to talk to me again during that time by pointing out scripture passages applicable to my life situation.
Then I realized that it was not only vital to know Him face to face, but also to know God's word. His Word is a living and active sword in our lives.
When I finally completed that study I also understood the purpopse of the Bible. It is not just a book or merely God's words written down - it is Jesus! The NIV John 1:1 reads "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God" and the Bible is Jesus - He is written down for us to have a personal relationship with Him, to know Him in every portion of our lives.
The Old Testament foretells of Jesus, the wisdom and poetry tell of His love and care for us, the New Testament is full of His birth, life and death. He is there in every section, every word.
We need both the guidance of the Holy Spirit living in us and the Bible to have a relationship with our risen Lord. He is alive in us through the Holy Spirit and through the words spoken and then written on the pages of the Bible.
But we cannot simply read the words in the Bible and fall in love with Christ - we have to experience Him fully in the power and presence of His Holy Spirit. Invite Him to open your mind to understanding and experience the living Word!
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