Faith and Obedience to Christ Brings Life
My personal Bible studies are currently centered in the book of John. This great New Testament book tells us the story of Jesus from the Apostle John’s perspective. Unlike the other three accounts of Jesus’ ministry, John is a more intimate view. The first twelve chapters of John focus on Jesus public life and the miracles that He did. They culminate with Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead. John gets very personal with Jesus in chapters 13-21 focusing on Jesus’ final words to the disciples before recounting His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.
The book of John also focuses on Jesus’ teaching to a degree Matthew, Mark and Luke do not. John’s focus on the teachings of Jesus is all designed to emphasize his conclusion in John 20:30-31: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” John makes clear connections between Jesus’ miracles, His Identity, and the blessing of life through Him. It is only the Son of God—who is God Himself—who can truly give life.
However, as amazing as the story of Jesus is in the book of John, life only comes to those who believe in Jesus truly. This is not the kind of belief that does not confess Jesus as the Son of God (John 12:42); that is, life is not granted to those who love the praise of men more than they love the praise of God (John 12:43), but life is granted to those whose faith obeys fully as John 3:36 shows: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (ESV). John does not conceive of a faith that does not obey. God bless you, and I love you.