Even before you started school, one of the earliest things you were taught to do was to add. When you find out what Jesus says in this short story you might think He had never been taught that 1 plus 1 plus 1 equals 3! Please listen carefully, because it is important that what you believe about God does add up in the way Jesus said it should.
One of Jesus’ disciples had just made this special request of Jesus, “Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” (verse 8.)
Jesus answered , “Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” (verse 10.) Was Jesus really asking them to believe that although the Father is 1, and the Son is 1 that these 2 are 1 and the same God?
YES! To have faith in Jesus you must really believe that JESUS IS GOD, (Acts 16:31, 34. John 20:26-31.) and that He is the only One who can bring you to God and Heaven. (John 14:6 Titus 2:10-14.)
Jesus shows that those who ignore His claims, and who try to get to God with the help of priests or saints or good works instead of through Him alone, are false. “If you love Me you will obey what I command,” He said. (verse 15.)
To all who believe and trust in Him, He promises, “You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.” (verse 14.)
Have you come to believe that when Jesus died on the cross it was really GOD paying the full price for all our sins? (Acts 20:28.) Have you asked Him, in Jesus’ name, for forgiveness and are you fully trusting Him for it? (John 3:16-19. Ephesians 2:8-10.)
Jesus also made this promise to those who would obey Him: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.” (verse 16. Acts 5:32.) The Spirit is the One who takes the place of the real presence of Jesus here on earth. (John 16:7.)
But then Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,” and He went on to say, “If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching. My Father will love him, and WE will come to him, and make Our home with him.” (verses 18, 23.)
Jesus was saying that when the Spirit would come to His followers then the Father and the Son would be “at home” with them too! You see, although there is 1 Father and 1 Son and 1 Spirit yet these three are ONE GOD! Don’t be surprised or discouraged if you cannot understand what Jesus is saying. There are MANY complicated things in life you and I cannot understand, and yet we can trust in them and benefit from them.
I certainly cannot understand how this can add up, but I know it does! “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6.) God the Father assures us that He accepts all those who trust in God the Son to be their only Priest and Saviour. (John 1:12-13.) And daily they will know the power of God the Spirit in their lives enabling them to serve and please the one true God in all they do. It really does add up! (John 7:16-17. 2nd Corinthians 7:17.)
Read these words of Jesus for yourself in John chapter 14, verses 8-24.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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