The most important book in the world is the Bible. Others are important but none as much as the Bible. The Bill of Rights and Constitution are important to our country and are being redefined all the time. Man cannot hamper with the Word of God. What we do with the Word determines the safety of our soul.
John 8: 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
The Jews really wanted to get rid of Jesus. He demonstrated his word by performing miracles. He healed, cast out demons and provided needs. Most of the time he just spoke the word and it happened. Many times his response was simply “thy faith hath made thee whole.” When the man with palsy was lowered through the roof Jesus knew his heart. He wanted salvation more than healing. Jesus told him his sins were forgiven. No one could see that internal difference in the man, but then Jesus told him to rise and walk. That’s what he did.
Jesus defined what makes a true disciple. The people wanted to keep their traditions and throw in a little scripture. They thought they were right with God because they were the descendants of Abraham. Many today boast of being Christians but how they live doesn’t follow up. Works don’t save. Being the son or daughter of a preacher doesn’t save. Your family may obey the truth, but if you don’t give place to God you won’t make it to heaven. John 1:12 says as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. You must have a relationship with God. Receive the truth which is able to save.
The Jews were smug in their attendance at the synagogue, but their hearts were lost. Jesus told them I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. There were insulted and shot back. Jesus told them they were of their father, the devil. We have to abide by the Word. It is a personal contact between us and God. We get out of balance and God’s Word will lose its place in our lives. If we do all the talking and don’t listen to God we don’t have a real relationship. Everything is hollering its rights. If we don’t listen to the Lord we’ll be in trouble. Do you find yourself telling God what you want? If we receive, we need to listen to what God wants. We try to make ultimatums and hang conditions on things. Then we don’t give ear to God. We should do more listening than talking. Stand still and hear the Word of the Lord.
There it too much telling God, too much redefining God. The Jews thought they had a special place because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus told them when you sin you are the servant of sin. We are creation’s poorest at doing the right thing. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. We had to call on the Lord trusting him as the risen Savior. The part that makes a person a Christian is the Lord’s part. He does the saving. The Jewish leaders were big to the world but in the eyes of God they were sinners.
Does what the Lord says have the highest place in your life? Each of us has to seek him first. You can’t hide steps made in the mud. Soften the places of your heart to receive the Word and let it make a track in your heart. Do you really believe what Jesus says? You can’t say yes, but. There are no buts. There is no taking part of what he says and ignoring the rest. We should believe what the Bible says over anything or anyone. We swallow everything we read in the newspaper or see on television then question the Bible. We need to stop being led around by the devil. Trust the Word. This is our spiritual constitution and bill of rights. Receive the Word. It will save your soul and your life. Put all your faith in the Lord.
There are responsibilities to the Word. Take them. Live for the Lord his way. Can anyone else besides the Lord save? No! I can’t do it, but I can tell you who can. Put God where he must be and then all things are possible. It will save you a lot of heartaches now and a scary judgment later. Let’s come to pray but more than that come and listen.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 