Ralph Porter

© 2004

    How do God's people become transformed from normal, healthy, red-blooded Americans into faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus? How do we make the break from conformity to the popular consensus of our culture to become conformed to the image of God's Son?

    Faithful followers of Jesus are free to be different! How do we become like that? How does God transform normal people like us into faithful followers of Jesus? In short, how do we become true disciples of Jesus? Not just saved and going to heaven, but transformed--faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus?

    In John 20:30-31, John tells us why he wrote His gospel:

        "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples 

    which are not recorded in this book, but these are written that you may 

    believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, 

    you may have life in his name."

    The record of Jesus' words and deeds demonstrate that He is God's Son. That testimony should have motivated His listeners to trust Him. Instead of accepting the evidence and trusting Him, Israel rejects the evidence, and opposition begins to develop. The development of the opposition to Jesus is described in John 5-12.

    Four principles are seen throughout their rejection of Jesus. First, it is clear that they reject Him in spite of abundant evidence. Evidence isn't the problem. There is no lack of evidence to demonstrate that Jesus is God. He heals many people (5; 7:21-24). He multiplies bread in order to feed a hungry crowd (6:1-15). He is able to walk on water (6:16-20). The evidence is adequate to demonstrate that He is God's Son as He claims. They didn't believe because they didn't want to believe, not because of lack of evidence.

    The second principle seen throughout the development of the opposition to Jesus is that those who want to know and do God's will recognize the truth when they see it. The key to understanding the conflict is affirmed by Christ (7:17). "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out . . . ." Those who want to obey God discover the truth about Him because God reveals it. Unbelief arises because they don't want to know the truth. They reject Him because they don't want to trust Him (12:37-43). Their rejection of Jesus is a symptom of their rejection of God (12:44-50).

    A third principle evident as the opposition develops is that in the midst of their rejection, those who trust Jesus find life (5:24; 6:35, 40, 47-48; 7:37-38). Finally, it becomes apparent that conflict is inevitable between judging by the world's standards and listening to God's voice (8:14-19, 25-29; 6:26-27, 30-31, 32-33). The world wants to satisfy the belly; the Spirit satisfies the hunger of the heart (8:15, 31-32, 36, 37-38, 40-41). Human standards produce slavery and rejection. Ultimately they lead to murder. God's standards give freedom and life. Human standards never lead to God's truth, nor His liberty!

    Following the introductory display of opposition, Jesus continues to demonstrate that He is God by His words and works. The series of messages and miracles results in even greater opposition. This portion of John's gospel leads to Jesus' discourse concerning the light of the world (8:12-30). As Jesus concludes the discourse, many trust Him (8:30). They are no longer just curious; they are convinced!

    Following this discourse, Jesus turns to instruct those who trust Him, which leads into a public debate concerning the children of Abraham (8:31-59). Jesus turns to speak to those who are convinced--those who have trusted Him. He nudges them forward, to take the next step, to join the committed--to become faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus.

Abiding in His word transforms us into followers of Jesus   31

        Jesus was commenting to those Jews who had trusted Him, "If you abide 

    in My word, then you are truly My disciples."

    Jesus affirms that committed followers are marked by their desire to live by His Word. "Abiding" in His Word, refers to the same concept of abiding Jesus presents in John 15, when He compares their relationship to that of the vine and the branches: "I am the vine, you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in Him bears much fruit."

    When a healthy branch "abides in" a healthy vine, the branch draws from the vine everything it needs to sustain it's life. When we abide in Christ, we draw from Him what we need for godly living. When we abide in His Word, it becomes source for godly living as faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus.

    Jesus introduces two additional results of abiding in His Word (32):

         "And you will know the truth, and that truth will set you free."

Abiding in His word results in knowledge of the truth

Abiding in His word results in liberty

    This comment provokes a debate concerning Abraham's children, that leads to further rejection. They are agitated by suggestion that they aren't free!

    Their response is a contrast with Jesus' call to abide in His Word. Various indicators of their unwillingness to listen are sprinkled throughout the dialogue. The crowd isn't interested in listening to His Word, much less in abiding in it! Jesus keeps pointing out that they don't want to hear the truth!

THE CLAIM TO BE FREE   33-38

The crowd claims to be free   33

        They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never 

    been slaves of anyone; How can You say that we shall be set free?"

    As Abraham's children, they claim they've never been slaves! That has to be the height of denial, when you consider their political situation at the moment, with the Roman guard patrolling their streets. Not to mention their previous history, as demonstrated by four hundred years in Egypt and their recent captivity! However, Jesus wasn't referring to political bondage, but rather the slavery to sin from which He is offering to free them.

Jesus offers to free them from slavery to sin   34-38

         Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 

    "Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to 

    it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know 

    you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are ready to kill Me, because 

    My Word doesn't fit in your life. I am telling you what I have seen in the 

    Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father."

    They aren't interested in the kind of freedom Jesus offers! Jesus makes' interesting observation, based on what they have just said. They referred to themselves using the word "offspring" or "descendants," literally the word for "seed." Jesus responds, "You are Abraham's 'seed' but not his sons." "You are his 'descendants,' but not his 'children!'"

THE CLAIM TO BE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM   39-47

The crowd repeats the claim to be Abraham's children   39a

        "Abraham is our father," they answered.

    Jesus challenges their claim to be the children of Abraham (8:39-59). His contention is that real children resemble their parents. "Like father, like son!"

Abraham's children imitate Abraham's actions   39b

         "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do the 

    things Abraham did."

    Abraham wanted to hear and obey God's Word. If they are truly His children, they should have the same desire. But they don't (8:40-41)!! Notice the contrast that Jesus points to:

         "As it is, you are determined to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth 

    that I heard from God; Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the 

    things your own father does."

    Instead of responding as Abraham did, they're doing the opposite! They want to kill the messenger!

Satan's children imitate Satan's actions   40-47

    The desire to kill someone for revealing God's truth didn't come from Abraham, but from a different father (40-41a). True children of Abraham would accept Him as Abraham did. They reject Him because they're Satan's children, not Abraham's.

    The crowd claims to be children of God (41b).

        "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we 

    have is God himself."

    God's children love the One He sends (42).

         Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I 

    came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent 

    Me."

    Satan's children can't stand to listen to God's Word (43-44).

        "Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you are unable to 

    hear My word. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry 

    out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding 

    to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native

    language; for he is a liar, and the father of lies."

    Because Jesus speaks the Word of God, Satan's children refuse to listen (45-47).

        "Yet because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me. Can any of you 

    prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe Me? 

    He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is 

    that you do not belong to God."

The crowd isn't interested in listening to God's Word,

much less in abiding in it!

    They demonstrate that they aren't really God's children, nor even Abraham's children! In contrast, Jesus calls those who trust Him to become His followers. That thought brings us back to what Jesus was saying at the beginning of this passage!

    Jesus brings us back to the realization that people who want to be His followers will not only listen to His Word, they will abide in it!

If we want to be Jesus' faithful and fruitful followers,

we will draw from His Word that which sustains our life!

Abiding in His word transforms us into followers of Jesus   31

        Jesus was commenting to those Jews who trusted Him, "If you abide in 

    My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine"

Abiding in His word results in knowledge of the truth and liberty   32

         "and you will know the truth, and that truth will make you free."

    A recent Breakpoint article, comments on Jesus' response to the Sadducees: "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God." Christians can be tempted to conform the teaching of the Bible to the intellectual consensus of the day. As that consensus shifts, we're told that the Bible must be made relevant to changing circumstances. The old ways can no longer be expected to bear fruit; new ways must be adopted to make the faith appealing. We must interpret the Bible in the thought forms of the consensus and present a world view more in keeping with the Spirit of the world.

    The faithful followers of Jesus were persecuted, precisely because their world view broke ranks with the consensus and promoted a Biblical understanding of life. They were determined to conform their life to what God has said! If we want to be faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus, we must allow God's Word to speak to the consensus, rather than allow truth to be swallowed up by our culture's accepted views!

    That requires continuous exposure to God's Word, and reflection on what God has said. It won't make us popular in our contemporary community, but it's the only way to become faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus!

    What does the Word of God say about how we ought to live in the twenty first century? Jesus will never be satisfied to have His followers define our lifestyle by popular consensus. Those who "abide in His Word," who draw what we need to live from what He has said, are His true followers. Those who "abide in His Word" are the only ones who are transformed into faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus, whether at home, in the office, at school, or on the mission field!

    What does God say about our attitude toward those God has placed in authority over us? What does God say about our attitude toward doing our homework or taking a test? What does God say about our attitude toward our neighbor who acts like a pagan--because he is one? Those who "abide in His Word" are the only ones who are transformed into faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus

    How about us? Are we content with just being convinced about Jesus? "I'm saved and glad I am!" Or, are we ready to take the next step? Are we ready to join the committed? Are we ready to become faithful and fruitful followers of Christ?

    Jesus tells us there's only one way to get there! "Abide in My Word! That requires time spent in His Word. That requires reflection--to allow God to show us how He wants to apply the truth of His Word to our lives. That requires us to draw from His Word that which sustains our life--allowing it to control our words, our thoughts, our goals in life, our actions--every area of our life!

    Dwight Pentecost comments: "They were not disciples until they put themselves under the authority of the Word and submitted to its teaching, until they were controlled by the Word of God so that they had no thought but what the Word of God presents, no goals and patterns and desires and ambitions apart from the Word of God."

    It's one thing to be convinced that the Bible is God's Word and that it's our final authority. It's another to be committed to do what it says--in every area of our life! Are WE ready to make that commitment? Are we ready to be transformed into faithful and fruitful followers of Jesus?