July 20
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HE WHO IS OF GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason, you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” – John 8:39-47
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Once again, the Jews exhibit their hypocrisy in verse 41 claiming that God is their Father. Jesus vehemently claims that if they were really Abraham’s children, they will never seek to kill Him. He tells them that if God is their Father, they will love and accept Him, but they have continuously rejected Him. It is strong language when Jesus tells them that they are children of the devil and explains to them the nature of their father. He is a murderer and cannot stand the truth. He is a liar and the father of lies. Jesus tells them that the reason why they cannot stand the truth that He reveals to them is because they thrive in lies. He exposes the reason why they cannot hear what He is saying. They do not hear His words because they do not belong to God.
It is interesting to watch how some Christians I know do not want the truth either. It is sad to witness these people think that they are followers of Jesus when they do not even want to know the truth. They may read the bible, but they never really reflect, follow and live the truth that comes from God’s word. They choose to live in lies and sin. They have no qualms in continually serving their own selves. They cannot belong to God if they are concerned only with their own desires and cravings.
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REFLECTION
• How is hearing the Word of God a clear indication that you belong to God?