We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 8:30-59.
Verse 30 says some of the leaders believed in Jesus. By the end of verse 47, it appears they no longer believe. So what's up with that? Did they believe or not? they believed in Jesus' teaching ("these things" in v. 30) but that's about it. They had several faulty assumptions about believing in Jesus.
Faulty assumption #1 > You can believe in Jesus without continuation (Jn. 8:31). Believing was a one-time act that supposedly fixecd everything. Done deal, right? Jesus said they were His followers (their believing was effective) only if they continued (remaiined) in His Word. Believing is the start of a lifelong process, not a one-time wonder.
Faulty assumption #2 > You can believe in Jesus without liberation (Jn. 8:32-38). In other words, you can believe in Jesus and never have to stop sinning. This is justification without sanctification. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, "From now on, sin no more" (Jn. 8:11). Many people want to believe in Jesus but not have to change anything when it comes to their habits, interests, desires, thoughts, pursuits, relationships, etc.
Faulty assumption #3 > You can believe in Jesus without regeneration (Jn. 8:39-47). You can belive in Jesus without being born again. How much clearer could Jesus be? "You must be b orn again," He said to Nicodemus. Call it what you want -- regeneration (Tit. 3:5), new life (Rom. 6:4), born again (Jn. 3:7), born from above, born of God (Jn 1:13; 1 Jn. 4:7), born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:6, 8) -- it involves the reception and installation of a new nature.
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