You Are of Your Father the Devil

.

You Are  of Your Father  the Devil

Many Christians imagine  that all Christians  must never hurt  anyone’s feelings  —  i.e. don’t ever criticize anyone  or tell anyone they are wrong.     Therefore,  many Christians  are afraid  of speaking the truth  about sinful behaviors.     But,  Jesus  was never  that way.

In love,  Jesus severely criticized  those who were entrapped  by their sinful behaviors  and ungodly beliefs.     Those criticized  were usually  the religious leaders  —  the Pharisees and Sadducees.     In their self-righteousness,  they were hateful  and burdened the people  with ungodly,  man-made traditions,  laws,  and regulations.

These religious leaders sought  to kill Jesus  because of the truths  He spoke.     Such unbelief  would be condemning them eternally,  so in love,  Jesus bluntly told them  in John 8:44,

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.

We don’t need  to gasp  in shock.     This was the truth  that the religious leaders needed  to face  if they honestly wanted  to spend eternity  in heaven.     They desperately needed  to wake up  to the truth  of their evil,  unbelieving ways  and repent.     In John 8:42  Jesus gave them  another truth  they needed  for their salvation.     He said,

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.

Now,  it’s our time  to listen,  think,  and be concerned  about our eternal life.     Is “God”  our “Father”  in heaven?     Do we honestly “love” Jesus because He is  “from God”  to save us  from our sins?

If we don’t love Jesus  the way  He should be loved  in truth  —  we do need  to repent  before it’s too late.

Thankful  for God’s real,  saving love,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord Jesus,  teach us  Your word  and lead us  to Your salvation.”

Love,
Margaret

.

A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

 

Pray for our country.

.

… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

**************

.

The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

.

The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

.

Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

.

How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

.

Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

.

O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

.

Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

.

**************

.

.

.

Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect, but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

.

.

.

 …………

.

.

.

.