Great confusion reigns on how to experience fullness of life in our relationship with God. We have a tendency to be unbalanced or over-emphasize one area like unconditional relationship, following Jesus, understanding instructions, abiding in God’s word and obeying Him instead of letting these ingredients build upon each other as observed in John 8.
Unconditional Relationship
As Jesus taught the people in the temple, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to test Him. They asked whether they should stone her as the Law stated. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. He said the first to throw a stone at her was one without sin. After He wrote on the ground again, they left. Jesus said to the woman that no one condemned her and neither would He, but “from now on sin no more” (John 8:1-11). God’s unconditional relationship with you encourages you to live in a godly manner.
Following Jesus
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world, he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.” The Pharisees said His witness was untrue. Jesus responded that His witness was true for He knew where He came from and where He was going, but they didn’t know those things since they judged according to the flesh. Jesus’ judgment is true since it is in agreement with God who sent Him. Even the Law states the testimony of two men is true. The Pharisees asked Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus said if they knew Him, they would know His Father (John 8:12-20). Following Jesus produces life.
Understanding Instructions
He told the Pharisees they would die in their sins since they couldn’t come where He was going not being of this world. Unless they believed He was God, they would die in their sins. Jesus spoke the truth He heard from God to the world. The Pharisees didn’t understand He was speaking about the Father. “By lifting up the Son of Man, someone will know that He is God since Jesus does nothing on His own initiative but speaks the things the Father taught Him, always doing what pleases Him. Many came to believe in Him” (John 8:21-30).
Don’t be self-directing, but please God by listening and understanding His instructions first.
Abiding in God’s Word
Jesus said to the believing Jews that they become free as His disciples by abiding in His word in knowing the truth. Those who commit sin are slaves of sin, but the Son makes them truly free. Seeking to kill Him proves the word has no place in them. People do the things they hear from their father. If God was their Father, they would love Jesus for God sent Him since He didn’t come on His own initiative. The reason they can’t bear His word is because they want to do the desire of their father, the devil, a murderer and father of lies. His lying originated from his nature. Why don’t they believe Jesus and the truth? He who is of God hears the words of God, but they can’t hear them because they aren’t of God (John 8:31-47). Abide in God’s word to be free and become His disciple.
Obeying God’s Word
The Jews said Jesus was a Samaritan with a demon. Even though they dishonored Him, He honored His Father by not seeking His own glory. He who keeps His word will never see death. The Jews were now convinced Jesus had a demon since Abraham and the prophets died. Jesus said His glory was nothing, but the Father glorified Him “of whom you say, ‘He is our God'” The Jews don’t know Him, but Jesus knows Him and keeps His word. Abraham rejoiced to see Jesus. The Jews questioned how someone less than 50 years old could see Abraham. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” They picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself “(John 8:48-59). Obey God’s word to experience eternal life.
Consider how you are doing with the following cumulative ingredients in balancing the Christian life:
1. God’s unconditional relationship with you encourages you to live godly.
2. Following Jesus produces life.
3. Don’t be self-directing, but please God by listening and understanding His instructions first.
4. Abide in God’s word to know the truth and become His disciple.
5. Obey God’s word to experience eternal life. Which one is your weakest? Ask God to develop it.
