Faith In Christ Jesus:
Faith is, first, the act of considering the Lord Jesus worthy of trust as to His character and motives. Second, it is the act of placing confidence in His ability to do just what He says He will do. Finally, faith is a definite taking of your self out of your own keeping and entrusting your self into the keeping of the Lord Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:12 is the perfect example of all three aspects of faith: (1) for I know whom I have believed, and (2) am persuaded that he is able to keep that which (3) I have committed unto him against that day. We will seek to answer two questions throughout our study of the Gospel of John. Those questions are: What does each chapter reveal about Jesus’ character or characteristics, motives, and abilities? What does each one indicate that you could confidently commit into Jesus’ keeping?
“IS IT LAWFUL…?
Read John 5:16 “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day.” The written Law of Moses was precise and clearly understood. Exodus chapter 16, and chapter 20:8 & 10, and chapter 31:14-16, and in Numbers 15:32 a man was executed for gathering sticks on the Sabbath!
Read Matthew 12:1-12, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 13:10-16, John 7:22-23, 9:14-16. It appears that Jesus did not keep “The Letter of the Law”, but explained in Mark 2:27 “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:” There is a foundation of intent behind the rules that God gave. As in Deuteronomy 10:16 “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” God’s goal is to change our hearts first, which then changes our behavior.
As for keeping the Law, try Romans 13:9-10, “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.”
The written word acts as an anchor which prevents drifting from the truth. Learn it well. However, we must worship God in spirit, according to that truth!