John 8:54-57

54 Jesus answered, “If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. 

55 Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. 

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?”

“Honoring Myself Means Nothing”

Do we really receive any honor if we seek honor for ourselves? Jesus answers that question for all of us in verse 54. Jesus says that it is not true honor if He honors Himself. Honoring ourselves is nothing. Jesus lived His life to honor His Father, as should we. God honors His Son because He does His will. Jesus honors God, and God honors Jesus. God will honor us someday when we pass into eternity, if we have honored Him with our lives to the best of our ability. Then Jesus says at the end of verse 54, paraphrasing, “It is My Father who honors me. You say that He is your God, yet you dishonor Me of whom My Father gives honor.” How can they say that God is their God, but not honor the One whom He sent to save them? It makes no sense. 

What about me? Do I seek honor for myself? Or do I seek to honor God with my life? God is the only reason that I have any of my talents or abilities anyway. Everything that I do should be for His glory and honor. Do I want attention for myself? Or do I seek to draw attention to Jesus with my life? Being a Christian means “presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” (Romans 12:1) Can I honestly say that my life is a living sacrifice? To say that, I believe there has to be less of me shining forth……and more of Him shining forth.

In verse 55, Jesus says, paraphrasing, “You say that My Father is your God, yet you don’t know Him at all. But I know Him. If I say that I don’t know Him, then I would be a liar, just like you are a liar for saying that you do know Him. I do know Him, though, and I keep His word.” Jesus had called the devil a liar in John 8:44. Since children follow the example of their fathers, He called them liars like their father, the devil, in verse 55. He also called them murderers like their father, the devil, because they wanted to kill Him. (John 8:44) They are most definitely proving who their father truly is. Back in John 8:39, these Jews had claimed that Abraham was their father. In verse 56, Jesus told them that Abraham was happy and rejoiced to see the day that He came to earth. He said that Abraham saw the day that Jesus came, and was glad. So, it sounds like Jesus is saying that Abraham isn’t actually dead. The Jews respond to this by saying, paraphrasing, “How have you seen Abraham when you aren’t even 50 years old? Abraham died before you were even born.” But Jesus had seen Abraham, because Abraham was alive and well. His body may have died, but his soul was eternally alive. These people have claimed that God is their Father, yet they plot to murder, and they lie. They claimed that Abraham is their father, yet they didn’t rejoice at the coming of the Messiah the way that Jesus said that Abraham did. We all know who their father is, and it is not Abraham or God. 

What about me? I am a Christian, right? What does that actually mean? When these Jewish leaders during Jesus’ time claimed that they were children of Abraham and children of God, Jesus told them they were liars. Am I a liar? Do I label myself as a Christian, but then do whatever I want to do? Being a Christian should not be just a label. It should be my entire life. Is it? My life is supposed to revolve around Christ. Does it? Will Christ call me a liar when I stand before Him on judgment day? Let’s all keep this promise from Jesus in mind as we proudly and humbly wear the name Christian, “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (John 8:51) What a wonderful promise!!

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)