Thursday, October 7, 2021

John 5 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

John 5:14

Later, Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.”

 

John 8:10,11 - Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you, "Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

 

Can you feel the urgency and immediacy in the words of Jesus? These verses are said to people He has had mercy on, one He healed and one He spared, but both He loved, had mercy on, and set free! He calls them after this to leave their life of sin and walk in truth. To not go running back to their old ways or conform to this world but to truly walk in the blessing of freedom that He has given them.

 

Which way do we go after Jesus has mercy and sets us free from something? After He breaks the chains, do we put them back on? After He forgives our sin, do we go right back to wallowing in it? Brothers and sisters, this just shouldn’t be. We have to fight the flesh by surrendering in and to the Spirit! Jesus didn’t come to just bring relief from sins but to bring freedom, forgiveness, and power over them.

 

The power is not being us but He who is in us. The One who is constantly working in, around, and through us! Jesus says that His Father is always at work, and in times like these, that’s a comforting thought. That our Heavenly Father is always moving, always working, and always there for those who call on His Name. So, the question is, if He has given us new life and freedom in Him, then what are we doing with it, and who are we serving with it?

 

John 10:28,29 – “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

 

God bless! I love you all, but He loves you so much more! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth!

 

 

John 5:35

John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

A friend once wrote that whatever is to give light must endure the burn; John did; will we? You see, John the Baptist was here to serve the Lord and prepare the way for Him. To shine a light into the dark world and illuminate the hearts of those who would hear his message of the coming Christ and turn from sin back to the Lord. John's light came at a great cost to himself; he was an outcast, misunderstood, rejected. I'm sure he was the butt of many jokes, spent lonely nights in the wilderness, was put into prison, and eventually executed. The burn he endured to shine his light was immensely painful and extremely costly.

We are no different than John. We have been given the greatest gift known to man, and it's our job to share Him. It will cost us to give off light to our Father's glory; will we endure the burn or flame out and fall away? It costs to be a disciple of Christ; if it cost Christ and those closest to Him, who are we to think we should pay any less?

This is not to deter us from following Him but rather to prepare us for the road ahead. If we know what it costs to shine our light, then we won't be surprised when it starts to burn. Be encouraged; we have been given everything we need to endure the burn and shine our light to the Father's glory!

2 Peter 1:2,3- Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

Matthew 5:16- In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

God bless! I love you all, but His love endured the ultimate burn that day on the cross! Glory, honor and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

 

 

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