December 18, 2011 (John 2-4)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:36 NLT
Observation: The disciples of John the Baptist were concerned because people were going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John. John the Baptist now explains to his disciples that this is a good thing, not anything to be jealous about. John tells them that no one can receive anything unless God gives it to them from heaven. He also states that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. John said, Jesus testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He tells them. John says it plainly; anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. But, anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment. Our obedience to the teaching of Christ testifies of, and proves, our belief in Him as God’s Son.
Application: Modern society tells us we only have to believe in Jesus as the Son of God to have eternal life. Yet, John the Baptist says, we must not only believe in Him but also obey His commands. Our obedience to His commands proves that we believe in Him. If we say that we love Him and do not the things He commands, we are a liar and His truth is not in us. We must not only confess faith in Christ with our mouths, but we must put that faith into action in our lives. Faith in Christ as Lord without action in our lives is nothing more than idle talk. When we place our faith in Christ as Lord and then put into action the faith we say we believe, we become alive. We begin to produce a harvest of good fruit that God has prepared for us long ago. Anyone who believes in Christ has eternal life, and anyone that truly believes in Christ will obey Him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day! Thank You for Your strong right arm that rises up and fights for me and wins! I need You Lord! You are my only hope! Hear my cry for help, come rescue me from the trap my enemy is trying to use to harm me. Deliver me from their wrath and oppression. Lift me up above the shadows of my past and set me safely out of my enemies grasp. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. In Jesus name, Amen!