April 23 Live in Truth

John 12:44-50 Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 47 “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
 
The Son continues to speak of his intimate relationship with th Father. Believing in Jesus is believing in the Father, also. The Holy Trinity is one God in three persons. If you say, “I believe in God.” you are confessing your faith in the Father, Son and Spirit.
    Then Jesus issues a warning. Warnings are good, aren’t they? They keep us safe, for example, when a road sign warns us of sharp curves and steep hills ahead. We slow down and drive along the road safely, unless…
    Unless we disregard the warnings. If we ignore the signs and drive too fast, our unbelief in the signs would damage our car and possibly even kill us and/or our passengers. In a like manner, Jesus teaches us to obey his “signs” – his words. He implores us to navigate our lives, heeding his truth. Dismissing Jesus, the Father will judge us.
    How horrible it would be to travel through life disobeying Jesus. We would miss the essence of his grace and love. But worst of all, we would end our journey to be judged by the Father into Hell! It’s an indescribable, horrific picture. This is judgment with no parole, no clemency or no delayed sentencing. It is a judgment for eternity (Let this sink in—e-t-e-r-n-i-t-y). If you reject Jesus, the Father will reject you on that Day of Judgment.
    Indeed, you have one life, one opportunity to believe in Jesus, to live into his words. You have no second life for a second chance. Final judgment is forever.
    Heed Jesus’ words. Help others do the same. Be loving and urgent to tell the gospel truth.
 
Prayer: I rejoice in your words, Jesus. I pray for a true understanding and desire to live as you teach. I pray to love my neighbors to tell them of your true road to life. Amen.