Look at Who Can Throw the First Stone

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest Thou?”
This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them,
“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her,
“Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?”
She said, “No man, Lord.” And Jesus said unto her,
“Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”   John 8:3-11

And He did not.

The Truth

“Then said they unto Him, ‘Who art Thou?’ And Jesus saith unto them,
‘Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.  I have many things to say and to judge of you: but He that sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him.’
They understood not that He spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them,
‘When ye have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things. And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.’
As He spake these words, many believed on Him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him,
‘If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ”  John 8:25-32

Hear God’s Words

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Jesus was spending time telling the religious leaders of their unbelief. They claimed to love Moses and the Law; also claiming to be children of Abraham. Though they were biological descendants of Abraham Jesus was confronting them concerning their spiritual connection with Abraham. They had none.

The message from Jesus for us today is this. Just because you were born in a Christian household does not make you a Christian. A friend of mine once told me this, “God does not have any grandchildren.” Those who believe in Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus are sons and daughters of God – born again by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The evidence you are a child of God is clearly explained in Jesus’s words above. We hear His word and do them. We believe His word and put them to work in our lives.

How about you? Have you been born again? Do you believe the word of God concerning what He has said about Jesus His only begotten Son? If you do not, then you are not a child of God, but a child of wrath, and doomed eternally.

You can call on the name of Jesus right now, turning from sin and unbelief, to the Lord Jesus Christ believing Him.

Knowing Who Jesus Christ Is

“My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.” Proverbs 7:1
“And He said unto them, ‘Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.’ ” John 8:23-24

Knowing who Jesus the Christ is, and believing Him, determines our eternal destiny.

Words of Jesus; Son of God, God the Son – 092420

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him,
‘If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’
They answered Him, ‘We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest Thou, ‘Ye shall be made free?’
Jesus answered them,
‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill Me, because My word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.’
” John 8:31-38  (KJB)

Messiah and His Words

To let the readers of Broken Pieces know… I have been doing mostly a reading and study of the gospels for the year of 2019. I read through and studied Matthew through John January through March, then I read and studied them again April through June, then the Acts through Jude; following that I  read the Prophets Isaiah through Malachi.

For the month of December I am reading and doing a study in the gospels once again, but dealing mostly with the gospel of Luke from December 1 – 24. Here is what I did.  I would read chapter 1 and 2 in Matthew on December 1, and chapter 1 of the gospel of Luke.

Now we are a day past Christmas, and my posts will be on the gospel of John, so I share with you all today the following…

“Then said some of them of Jerusalem, ‘Is not this He, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, He speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?’ ” John 7:25-26 (KJB)
He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

The question was being asked by some of the people, “Do the rulers know indeed that this Jesus is the very Messiah?” I wonder that as well.  Did they know? Were they just fearful of the change He would or could bring if He was indeed the Christ  – the Messiah?

I pray everyone reading this today realizes that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, and the only Savior and Lord God of the world, and of all the created order.

If they knew they were stubbornly being stiffnecked, hard headed people indeed.  That was much like those who refused to hear the words of Moses and the Prophets of old.

Jesus makes it clear in John 8:47 that those who hear – meaning those who hear the word and take His words into their hearts and minds, doing them they are of God. Those who do not hear and do them (James 1:22) these are not of God; they are in fact enemies of God and have no hope.

Where do you fit in this word of the Messiah?

Hearing and Doing

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, ‘If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’” John 8:31-32 (KJB)

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

Verses 31 and 32 were spoken to seems to have believed in Him, but they could not see themselves as being in bondage; even while they as a people were enslaved to the Roman empire.

The words of verse 47 seems to show that they were not hearing God’s word to the point that Jesus was teaching. To “Continue” in His word is to live, to abide in it; making it every bit a part of one’s life.  Many of these leaders of religion could quote the whole law, but did not rest in neither trust their God and only Savior.

They were in fact still bound by the law which condemns them, and shows them their is only one hope.  That hope is found by means of a single sacrifice for sin.

That single sacrifice for sin was given when Jesus went to the cross and died for the sins of the world.

Do you want to be free, truly free?  Then, the only way is through the death, burial, and resurrection of the God-Man Christ Jesus.  He forever lives.  This is God’s grace.  Grace is not free.  It was paid for with the life of God’s own Son.

Now, what are you going to do with that information?

Before Abraham Was…

“They answered Him, ‘We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest Thou, ‘Ye shall be made free?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill Me, because My word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with My Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.’

They answered and said unto him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus saith unto them, ‘If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill Me, a Man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father.’ Then said they to Him, ‘We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, God.’
Jesus said unto them, ‘If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent me. Why do ye not understand My speech? Because ye cannot hear My word.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe Me not. Which of you convinceth Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear not, because ye are not of God.’

Then answered the Jews, and said unto Him, ‘Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?’ Jesus answered, ‘I have not a devil; but I honour My Father, and ye do dishonour Me. And I seek not Mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death.’ Then said the Jews unto Him, ‘Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and Thou sayest, If a man keep My saying, he shall never taste of death. Art Thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? And the prophets are dead: whom makest Thou Thyself?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I honour Myself, My honour is nothing: it is My Father that honoureth Me; of whom ye say, that He is your God: yet ye have not known Him; but I know Him: and if I should say, I know Him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know Him, and keep His saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.’
Then said the Jews unto Him, ‘Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham?’ Jesus said unto them, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I Am.’
Then took they up stones to cast at Him: but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”  John 8:33-59  (KJB)

I have some homework for you today.  Please read the above chapter 8; not just the verses above.

Further assignment:

“If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:24. Also John 10:32-33.  See also Exodus 3, and especially note verse 14.