Remember--when you point a finger at someone else . . .

<intended for SUN 10/11>

Walking in the Truth

Today's scriptures *:  [The Jews who had believed Jesus], "answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants, & have never been slaves of anyone. How can You say that we shall be set free?' Jesus replied, 'Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.'" John 8:33-34   "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8. ***
* There are many worthy translations of the Bible to choose from. I'm most familiar with the New International Version (NIV), so unless I note otherwise, that is the version from which I quote. **
** I also post most of my scriptural links from the Bible Gateway link, which gives you a variety of scriptural versions to choose from. Just be aware that some versions are translations from the oldest, most reliable manuscripts in the original Biblical languages, while some are paraphrases. Translations are typically considered more reliable.
*** Not the same New Testament Gospel which I've been using for some references. St. John is also credited with writing three letters or epistles:  1st John, 2nd John, & 3rd John. The theme verse for these devotions--Walking in the Truth--is from his epistle, 3rd John, verse 4.

Devotional thoughts:  John 8:33 should sound familiar, because we read it in yesterday's (10/10) SAT devotional. Yesterday's scripture provided two very important insights.

• It is very possible to listen to Jesus but fail to hear what He has to say to us.
• It is very possible to listen, read, & study His Word in the Bible, yet never quite take it all in.
• It is very possible to never quite accept it, never quite believe it, never quite apply it to our lives.
• Remember that yesterday's passage began with these words:  "The Jews who HAD believed Jesus." [I'm counting all 4 bullet-points as Insight #1, since it's my devotion.]

Secondly, When they scoffed at Jesus by asserting that, as descendants of Abraham, God's chosen people, they had ALWAYS been free, what they were saying was NOT the truth!

• Many times in their history they have been enslaved, oppressed, & conquered.
• At this particular time in history, they might not have literally been enslaved & in chains, but the Romans had conquered & occupied their land.
• The original, Promised Land, given to their forefathers ages ago, was a mere shadow of its former glory.
• For all practical purposes, they might as well have been enslaved, because a Roman governor & the power of Roman soldiers kept them in obeisance to Rome & they paid taxes to Caesar. [And I'm counting these 4 bullet-points as Insight #2, ditto my previous aside.]

Were they lying to themselves? Totally in denial? More importantly, were they lying face-to-face to the Son of God?

Quick time out! This is no anti-semitic screed. St. John was a Jew. Jesus Christ was a Jew! When we refuse to accept the truth that we are sinful people who do sinful things & commit sinful acts that hurt & offend others, not to mention offend the almighty Ruler of the Universe, are we lying to ourselves? Are we in denial, & are we lying face-to-face to the Son of God? Probably not a wise thing to do.

I don't know about you, but that makes me shiver.

Prayer thought:  Ask Jesus to confront us with His Truth that we are sinful people who commit sins so that, when confronted with this Truth, we confess it & seek His forgiveness.

A personal aside:  If you find these devotions helpful, meaningful, insightful in any way, maybe you could pass them along to someone or others whom you think might benefit from them? I am NOT looking to glorify myself. Promise! I am seeking to humbly, glorify the God of Truth. Pinky promise!