John 8:21-30 – Solemn Warning
It is possible to seek Christ in vain. A man or woman may have many feelings about Christ, without any salvation. Sickness, sudden trouble, the fear of death, the loss of security – all these can bring out a certain amount of “religiousness” in people. Under the pressure of these things people may pray and speak strongly about their love of Christ and their changed life. But all this time their heart may never be changed. Take away the trouble, take away the grief, take away the fear, and they may return at once to the old ways. They seek Christ in vain because they seek Him from false motives and not with their whole heart. But there is another way as well of seeking Christ in vain. Men and women may reject God and reject God and reject God until God rejects them. They become so hard in their unbelief that God leaves them alone. But seeking Christ with a true heart and calling on Him honestly is never useless. He that really comes to Christ will not be sent away.
There should be a big difference between Christians and unbelievers. Unbelievers think about and care most about the things of the world; Christians, though they live in the world, set their minds on the things of God. This makes Christians strange, peculiar in the eyes of those around them, it may even bring attacks and ridicule upon them, but this is the way Jesus is treated. As His disciples, can we expect better?
We must settle in our mind, as a truth of our faith, that there is a hell. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that it is unloving to speak of hell. Instead, it’s the most loving thing you can do to warn your family, your friends, and your neighbours of the great danger they are in and the great blessing to be found in Christ.
Questions
- How do we know if we are truly seeking Christ?
- What is the difference between believers and unbelievers?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the salvation of family and friends.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.