[:en]Our Daily Verse (5/15/20)[:zh]Our D[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  JOHN 8

“If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7)

“I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12)

“If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.  then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32)

“Before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58)

Jesus went to Mount of Olives and appeared in the temple courts at dawn.  The Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who was caught in adultery.  They wanted to test Jesus and get him into a dilemma.  If He set the woman free, He invalidated Moses Law (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22).  But if He had her stoned, He could not claim to be the one who forgave sins.  Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with His finger: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7).  Since all of them sinned,  the went away until only Jesus remained.  Then Jesus told her that He would not condemn her but she should leave her life of sin (v. 11)

THE VALIDITY OF JESUS’ TESTIMONY (vs. 12-30)

Jesus testified Himself as follows:

  1.  I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life (v. 12)
  2. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father who sent me. (v. 18)
  3. I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin.  Where I go, you cannot come (v. 21)
  4. I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world. (v. 23)
  5. I am the one I claim to be, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. (v. 28)

THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM (vs. 31-41)

The Jews were appealing to their human advantage by claiming that they were the descendants of Abraham.  But Jesus made a distinction between Abraham fleshly seed (v. 37) and Abraham’s spiritual children (v. 39)

THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL (vs. 42-47)

When we sin, we are children of disobedience.  When we put faith in Christ, we become children of God.  But those who reject Jesus become children of the devil.  The children of the devil are portrayed as counterfeit Christians.

SIGNS OF CHILDREN OF DEVIL:

  1. They have no room for His Word (v. 37)
  2. They boast of their ancestral advantage and works (v. 39)
  3. They want to kill Jesus (v. 40)
  4. They do not love Christ (v. 42)
  5. They do not have truth in them (v. 43)
  6. They are liars because they follow the father of lies (v. 44)
  7. They do not believe in Christ (v. 47)

THE CLAIMS OF JESUS ABOUT HIMSELF (vs. 48-59)

  1. If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death (v. 51)
  2. My father is the one who glorifies me (v. 54)
  3. I know my Father and keep His Word (v. 55)
  4. I am before Abraham was born (v. 58)

SUMMARY:

  1. All of us are sinners.  We must not judge people without examining ourselves first.
  2. Jesus is the light of the world.  Light represents life, knowledge and holiness.  It contrasts with darkness of death, ignorance and sin.  We should submit to Christ and follow him so that we will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (v. 12)
  3. Jesus is the Son of God coming from above.  Faith in Christ makes us become His children.  To become a true disciple of God, we must abide in His Word and know the truth.  For His truth shall set us free.
  4. There are many counterfeit Christians who have the outward appearance of godliness but in reality, they are children of devil.  Are you really a child of God?

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