“Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” (John 8:43-45 KJV).
In these passages, the Lord revealed that those who cannot understand the message from heaven and the will of God are those who do not want to. It is not a matter of ability to understand. It is a matter of commitment and intent. It is caused by the attitude of disdain rooted in the heart, as exhibited by these religious leaders of the Jews. As already pointed out, these people have access to the Scriptures (John 5:39–40), have witnessed of the Lord's miracles (John 3:1–2 ; John 5:36; John 8:18), have heard the testimony of John the Baptist (John 5:33–34), and have heard the very Words of Him who came from heaven (John 8:23), whose coming were written of by Moses and the prophets.
Their attitude reflects the nature of their real father, which the Lord subtly referred several times, he who is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44). Now the Lord plainly declared that they are in fact 'children of their father, the devil.' This statement is not a timid response by the Lord. It is an overt chastisement of the religious leaders who are leading many to hell (Matthew 23:15), also sadly manifested in today's worldly religious deceptions including and especially those who use the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in vain.
These religious Jews and those perpetuating their work of leading many the wrong way, are used as tools of their father who is the devil, as the Lord Jesus revealed. Their father, the devil, is sadly invading many homes, through so-called 'churches' and places of learning, drawing many away from the true God who sent our Lord Jesus Christ. His motive is to cause suffering in the world and destroy the souls of many. The reason the Lord Jesus Christ gives us the litmus test. He said: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV).
Hence, firmly rooted by faith in Christ Jesus, we enter the narrow gate in a personal intimate relationship with Him - Not by rituals of religion - Apostle Peter warned, as it is written: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV).
And the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to the Samaritan woman and to all of us that we must worship Him in Spirit and in truth, not in His physical image and representation, as some religions are doing. Scriptures remind through the Messiah who already came, that: "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” (John 4:24-26 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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