THEY DID NOT CONFESS HIM
Tuesday – September 17, 2019, Elul 17, 5779
Greetings precious brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and welcome back to this powerful Bible Study of the Book of John. Our God is so good to give us His Word to light our path. Let me point out that the Word of God only lights our path when it is received as absolute Truth, by faith, in love, and led of the Holy Spirit. One of the things I strongly encourage each of us as we read Scripture or these teachings and that is to translate various words to the root meaning. For example, ‘love’ above is agape (Greek) love which means obedience to the Word of God, adherence to Blood Covenant, and a selfless lifestyle. I hope you have noticed that there is not one drop of emotion in Godly love, agape love. The Word we receive or have as a simple academic exercise has no power or light in our lives, it is simply information like any other information. Unwavering faith must be applied. The pictures featured this week were taken in the fall here in Maine a few years ago, I hope you find them enjoyable. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment to hit the “love” and “share” buttons to play a role in expanding the reach of these teachings. Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text and dive into the Word for us today.
John 12:42-50 (KJV)
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
We see from our primary text that many of the chief rulers believed on Jesus but they did not confess Him for fear of the Pharisees. We are then pointedly told that they loved or sought after the praise of men ahead of the praise of God. Another way to put it was that they placed, esteemed, or valued men above God. Let’s think about the following passage as we contemplate the significance of those two verses (John 12:42-43).
Matthew 10:31-35 (KJV)
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
So, what do you suppose the outcome of Jesus not confessing us as His own to the Father in Heaven might be? I suspect it is not all peaches and cream but hell fire. Not sharing our faith and not being steadfast in our faith is not an option. We are not to go along to get along, that was never Jesus approach as we have seen over and over in this study of John. A firm stand for righteousness, standing with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit will bring divisions, it will divide you in the light from the darkness. We must avoid darkness at all costs, in it is sin, and deception. However, what the people see in us who are wholly in the light should bring a conviction and an intense hunger for what we have. Jesus makes it very clear that our faith, our adherence to our faith will bring divisions in families. We should expect it, we will not like it, but compromise with darkness is not one of our options. We have one option, the way of righteousness, clarity of vision walking in the light. Our life will then radiate a goodness that people, our families and others will want over time. The use of the word ‘sword’ has meaning in the prior passage. The sword of the spirit is part of our armor and is the Word of God. Jesus did not come to make everyone the same but to bring a clear distinction between the light and the darkness, those in the light and those in the darkness. I strongly urge us all to step away from the darkness, do not compromise with darkness. Clearly without compromise speak and do the Word of God. Darkness will steal, kill, and destroy in our lives.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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