“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” -John 8:24 (KJV)
Jesus preached an offensive Gospel and as such many disciples left Him and others plainly didn’t believe Him. Even the religious leaders of the day mocked and scoffed Him for they could not understand who He was. Nor did they have any motivation to find out. You see they were the leaders of the synagogue (church of today) and held rank and file above the people. They were comfortable in their religion and saw no need to believe in this Jesus. It’s the same today: people and preachers who care little about teaching [or believing] all of the Gospel and winning souls. Their interests and motives are in their own comfort, status and position. Consider this carefully and see if this isn’t the case where you attend “church”.
The Pharisees were the religious leaders, preachers, pastors of that day and Jesus was addressing them in this context. You can also insert yourself (and me too) into this narrative for it concerns all who claim to believe in Christ. Jesus told these men of the cloth, if you will, that their unbelief in really not knowing Him or the Father would result in them dying in their sins. A horrible fate for anyone. You see Jesus came and died on the cross for you and me to pay the ultimate penalty for sins. If we really believe on Him then we will not have to pay for our sins ourselves – which will last for all eternity in hell separated from Jesus. People who end up there will care the full weight and consequences of their sin and pay for them in torment, for eternity. Another sobering thought!
Jesus blasted those Pharisees 3 times concerning them dying in their sins. And they just didn’t get it! Why? First, understand that whenever Jesus reiterates things in dual or triple form they are extremely important and we must pay attention! He knew their hearts, He knew their false teaching, and He knew their unbelief surely as He knows ours. This is a sobering thought and we must wake up to this teaching, reality and conclusion.
“Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” -John 8:21 (KJV)
If we through unbelief – being caught up in worldly things, with worldly cares, instead of focusing on the Lord with utmost faith and trust, will face the same fate as those self-righteous and wicked religious leaders. This is not a maybe, this is certainty for God (Jesus) said it. (So how many sermons at your church have covered this doctrinal fact?).
Please read the entire context of this chapter and realize that Jesus taught a Gospel that was tough and required something of us. Faith, trust and rock solid belief that Jesus Christ is the Lord and the Son of Almighty God. If you believe in this your life will be changed and you will desire to read your Bible, follow His ways, pray, seek His face daily, confess and repent of your sins daily and stay in His will at all times. He demands 100% of us, not 85, not even 90% – He requires all of us, 24×7.
Again, sobering Gospel teaching; one that you hear little of today. Friends, please ensure you read your Bible and seek the Lord and Holy Spirit for knowledge and understanding. For only then will you receive and know the truth and the Truth of God’s word (all of it) will set you free – John 8:32.
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32- And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:31-32 (KJV)
-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” -2 Peter 3:11-12
GIVE ALMIGHTY GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR HE IS KING and HE IS LORD!
