"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12 What was it that made the "devout" Pharisees so hotly pursue the Lord Jesus, and then the Apostles and disciples after Him; instead of kissing their lips for giving a right answer? He that has the Spirit of Christ, will also know Him.
Eric (cont.); If you accept something that you have been offered, you say yes to it or agree to take it. If you accept a plan or an intended action, you agree to it and allow it to happen. The problem however arises from the lazy and self-centered T.V. watching mentality of our modern generation, that makes us view everything in a merely passive NON-participatory state of mind; while we MUST act!
Dear Eric; I understand very well your reference Scripture, and how we MUST "receive" Jesus. But I strongly DISAGREE with the ultra popular contemporary notion which directs people to "Accept" Jesus into their darkened and alienated by nature lives, with absolutely NO mention or even a basic teaching about repentance and CONVERSION. We have to follow the Lord's own teaching about what we must do.
Rev 3:20. Accepting Jesus into your heart IS scriptural. Please, everyone, be careful what you claim is scriptural or not. Read John 5:39. Of course we need to repent to have salvation, but sometimes we need Jesus in our hearts to do so. "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more". First Jesus does not condemn, THEN, tells her to repent.
(continuing) "Accepting Jesus into your heart" IS NOT REPENTANCE! It started with being afraid to hurt peoples' feelings or get them mad; it started with a cowardly watering down of the Word of the cross of Christ in order to supposedly bring people to the Lord "easier:" but it is a false gospel about another Jesus! It is God's way to first convict of sin and THEREBY lead to repent and convert!
(continuing) "When we come to Jesus in the first place; isn't it because we are scared and ashamed because of our sins, and we are looking for Jesus to rescue us from ourselves?" Here then we have to ask, How did you come to Jesus? What did you pray? or rather, How were you led to pray? Words DO matter! The very popular, but UNSCRIPTURAL, "Accepting Jesus into your heart" IS NOT REPENTANCE!
Jesus exposed the Pharisees' self-righteous attitude and deceiving outward appearance that caused them to viciously rise up against the truth spoken by Him. They revealed that they didn't know the true God and Father and couldn't comprehend what Jesus was teaching.
"..And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not." The trees are known by the fruits they bear; and that's why we name them, Apple or Peach or Pecans, etc. because that's WHAT THEY ARE! The same reason why Adam named every animal, according to the wisdom and understanding that he had as the First Man in the image and likeness of God; because that is what they were. So are we also known.
"Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man; and yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me." Jesus is our Teacher and our Leader in all things: as He is, so are we also to be in this world. God gave us His Word, and all His Commandments, Statutes and Precepts for Life; and we ARE to discern and judge righteously as Children after His Spirit of Truth.
From the day that Jesus began to go in and out among the people announcing the Glad Tidings and healing everyone who was oppressed by the devil; the sons of the devil could not keep still, but fanatically pursued the Lord and schemed and plotted to "catch Him in something said." They don't care a thing about the ones they step on and injure along the way; just so they can find something to accuse!
"..I am the Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." In order to get the first-most importance of the meaning in any Scripture passage, we have to first understand it in the context of the whole part in which it appears. In this instance then, there were once again, hateful adversaries running upon the Lord with what they assumed was an impossible predicament, so that through it they could have something to accuse the Lord and thus publicly expose Him as a fraud and impostor. But what happens is their own foul consciences and evil intentions are exposed to their own shame. First There are NO Commandments in the Scriptures that are impossible for us to keep, for ANY reason! And Second The Statutes of capital punishment for certain crimes was to be executed, NOT by a vindictive and self-righteous mob, seeking to make an example but for a pure and holy people to protect their society from being ruined. Now that the "society" is utterly corrupt and filled with sinning against God What is the Lord Jesus to do? How is He to act toward people whom He wants to SAVE FROM THEIR SINS AND NOT KILL THEM FOR THEM? He does not condemn us but lets us go free to live! He frankly forgives all of us who have NOTHING to pay and in love leads us to REPENTANCE and a CHANGED LIFE! He is the Light which gives us Light!
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." The ones who are walking in darkness don't know that they are in darkness, and cannot see where they're going, BECAUSE the darkness has blinded their eyes. Those who say they see, but have no need of repentance, their sins are retained. But if we DO the will of the Father if we with a good and honest heart receive the Word of the Glad Tidings Announced, and DO ALL that Jesus has commanded us then WE DO KNOW the Doctrine, and have our hearts assured that we are accepted of God in Christ. You cannot refuse instruction, refuse conviction of sin and error, refuse humility and compassion for others... REFUSE LIGHT and also have the Light of the world shining in you! The tree is know by its fruit and we are known whether we are of God, by our reception of His Spirit and His Word and by the reflection of His character and natural disposition, in all our course in life. But he that lacks these things IS BLIND, SHORT-SIGHTED, and HAS FORGOTTEN THE PURGING OF HIS SINS!
Dear Sister Lilian; I just want to give you a Word of comfort and encouragement. When Jesus washed the disciples' feet; Peter feeling so intensely his own unworthiness, first thrust Jesus away, saying, You shall never wash my feet! But after talking with the Lord about it he was shown that we are really free, and clean every whit through Jesus' washing us from our sins; but need to wash our feet.
Their is and always has been only one of two spiritual seeds any man or woman can ever receive and its permanent. The incorruptible seed of the Blessed Hope which is Speaking in Tongues made of the temple without hands Christ in you or- / the seed of the serpent. All those who Blaspheme the Holy Ghost have the absolute hate of their father the devil in them. Acts through Jude. Religion rejects it
Jesus is the only light of the world thru him there's no darkness. Let your holy Spirit Jesus to be with me and help me to be born again in Spirit every moment of my life. Amen
I love John 8 especially verse 17. Jesus was a separate being from God his Father. Two men walking in one accord in unity. Then latter comes the Holy Ghost and we have a trio and not a trinity.
John 8:16] And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17] It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 8:7-9; Jesus was along with this woman, he did not instruct her to "tell no one". John 4:7-9: Jesus was alone with the woman from Samaria, he did not instruct her "tell no one"
This chapter is laden is many spiritual truths. Some are: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
Mari; You made my day! You really did. I was wondering about you, why I hadn't seen you. Are you alright? All Glory be to the Lord and our God JESUS!!! Jn.20:28
Levell - Lk. 23:47 - even the centurion, who helped crucify Jesus, said, " ... certainly this was a righteous man." Jesus' words, that he did nothing of Himself referred to His flesh man; but as His Father taught Him, He (Jesus) did those things. It's the same with us; when we have God's spirit in us ( Acts 2:38) it's HIS spirit that does the works, speaks the words of wisdom from His word.
Levell - Probably you won't understand this: Jesus being lifted up was His reference to His crucifixion. Then, in Acts ch. 1 He ascended to heaven; then Actsv2:37-38 (men and brethren, WHAT SHALLWE DO?) they began to realize, after Peter's message that they needed to turn to HIM for salvation. " ... be baptized in the NAME of Jesus Christ ... "; Acts 4:12 - for there is none other name ..."
This dialogue between Jesus and his Jewish followers distinguishes the departure from Mosaic law and Christian forgiveness. Frankly, all are sinners but we have an advocate in Jesus if we go and sin no more. For the reprobate, there is little hope of eternity. The Jews are devout as our the Muslim. They adhere to the precepts they were taught. Christians observe the resurrection with eggs!
V. 9 - being pricked in their conscience; I wonder, did any one of them think even further and maybe turn to Jesus ..... ? Or maybe, if they mentioned such a thing, their peers talked them out of it: "but think of the prestige of men you will lose ... " and etc. Just as we are today.
V. 1 - Mount Olivet was so important in Jesus' day - and in O.T. times. It was a central geographical place in God's Word. 2 Sam. 15:30; 1 Kgs. 11:7-8; 2 Kgs. 23:13-14; Eze. 11:22:23; Neh. 8:15; N.T. - Lk. 22:39; Matt. 24:1-51; Lk. 19:28-44; 21:37; 22:39-46; Acts 1:1-12; in the future - Matt. 24:30-31; Zech. 14:4. Just to understand it's importance, these are well worth reading.
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and he was glad. I too will rejoice on that great and glorious day, when I will see my Blessed Savior. I long for the day when every knee will bow, proclaiming the truth of the victory at the cross and a new life in Christ was given to me! Yeshua longs to know us and to experience his deep abiding love. Thank you, Abba Father.
John 8:16] And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
17] It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
John 4:7-9: Jesus was alone with the woman from Samaria, he did not instruct her "tell no one"