An Essential Requirement of Genuine Belief
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Years ago I was approached by a man on the street who was “witnessing” to people. He came up to me and the group of people that were with me, around 7 or 8 in total, and he attempted to lead us to Christ. We were already believers in Christ and we tried to tell him this, but he still went ahead and “witnessed” to us. In less than 5 minutes he gave us the “gospel” handed us a card with a prayer on it and told us to repeat that prayer and we would be saved, and without waiting for a response he moved on to the next group of people. I have always wondered if he counted our group in the number of people he “won” to Christ that day.
Is this an example of effective evangelism? Is this an example of a method that will produce genuine belief in Christ? Probably not. Can God uses this to bring people to faith in Christ?
Do we find this kind of evangelism happening in our circles today? Have you ever heard a preacher give the “gospel” in his closing prayer and then ask people to repeat a prayer? Can God use this to bring people to faith in Christ?
Is this the method that Christ used when he was on earth? Did Jesus just ask people to pray a prayer? What did Jesus require of people in order for genuine faith to occur?
In John 3:22-36 I think we find a key component to genuine saving faith. Jesus has already highlighted this idea when he gave the gospel to Nicodemus in vv. 19-20.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Jesus highlighted the need for repentance as essential for genuine faith to occur when he gave the gospel to Nicodemus. And I think this theme is carried forward in this final paragraph of John 3.
The main idea that we need to understand and that we need to help our unsaved friends understand about genuine faith is this:
God will not accept as legitimate a belief that does not result in obedience to Christ.
God will not accept as legitimate a belief that does not result in obedience to Christ.
Obedience is not the same thing as belief. You do not get saved through the work of your obedience, but real faith- real belief in Jesus as the Son of God will result in obedience. If you say you want to believe in Jesus, but you have no desire to come out of the darkness of your sin, have you really come to Christ? Have you come to the light? What we continue to learn here at the end of John 3 is that:
God will not accept as legitimate a belief that does not result in obedience to Christ.
How do we know that?
I think we find three reasons in vv. 22-36 for why genuine faith must result in obedience to Christ.
I. Belief in Christ should result in becoming disciples of Christ (vv. 22-26)
I. Belief in Christ should result in becoming disciples of Christ (vv. 22-26)
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
There are two key words here that we need to highlight:
Disciples (used 2x’s)
Baptized (used 4x’s)
In five verses these are the words and ideas that seem to be most important. Let’s look at the text.
22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
After his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples- leave the city region and head in the the countryside of Judea. And Jesus tarried with his disciples. Literally, Jesus went out into the countryside and spent much time with his disciples. (We cannot dwell on that thought, but it says a lot about what real disciple-making looks like). And as he is spending much time with the disciples He is also baptizing people. This is water baptism by immersion. Apparently, people found out that Jesus was camping out in the country with his disciples and they came to him and were baptized. Why is this significant?
23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
New information: John the Baptist was also in the same area and he was spending time with his disciples in the countryside and he was also baptizing. There is a comparison here between the ministry of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist. And what is highlighted is that both we baptizing. Why? Why is this specifically pointed out? Why not emphasize their teaching, or Jesus’ miracles, or some other aspect of their ministry, why highlight the act of baptizing people?
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
A brief aside- to help people know that this was early on in the ministry of Jesus and John because John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
The first conflict that is introduced in this narrative is a debate or a discussion that between John’s disciples and the Jews/ a Jew (textual variant). The debate was over the matter of purification or ceremonial washing. The debate did not focus on the relative merits of John’s baptism as compared to Jesus’ baptism, but was distinctly in relation to the Jewish purification rites. The point is that John’s ministry is being attacked by the traditional practices of the Jewish people. The validity of John’s ministry is being called into question- by the traditional Jews. This did not settle well with John’s disciples and it apparently it caused them to further evaluate the durability or the validity of John’s ministry- especially in light of the rising popularity of Jesus.
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
So, John’s disciples come to him and they say, Rabbi (teacher), you have to do something. On one side we are being attacked by the Jews, and on the other side- do you remember the guy that you baptized beyond Jordan, Jesus of Nazareth? You bore witness of him- that He is the Son of God. Behold, LISTEN, CONSIDER THIS! ALL MEN ARE COMING/GOING to Him! John, what are you going to do about it? Jesus is even baptizing the ones coming to him.
Again, the idea of baptism is brought to the forefront. John’s disciples are concerned that people are going to Jesus and Jesus is baptizing them. Why would that make them so concerned? They are almost panicking. They make the statement “ALL men come to him.” Is that a true statement? No, just read v. 23- “and people were coming (to John) and being baptized.” So this seems like exaggeration brought on by resentment. Why? What is going on here?
In order to understand the panicked resentment on the part of John’s disciples you need to understand what it meant to become someone’s disciple in that day.
The word “disciple” used 2 x’s in this paragraph comes from the Greek word: μαθητής. μαθητής is used over 250 x’s in the NT. Most notably it is found in the Great Commission in Matt 28
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The history of the word “disciple” came out of its use during the Hellenic Period (500-300 BC). It came out of the relationship between the Greek philosophers and their students.
Hellenic Period (500-300 BC)
During those times a μαθητής was:
Learner
Learned from a master or teacher
Committed
Imitators- diet, dress, the way they walked
Devotion (almost religious in Greek culture- a μαθητής NEVER switched maters- ever)
Fellowship (continued after the teacher died) μαθητής formed Koinonia
The Period Between the Testaments
(Post Exilic Background to Christ’s Ministry)
The Jewish mind was tremendously influenced by Greek Culture and thought.
The followers of the Talmud (Jewish written tradition) were named the “Talmeed”
After the tradition of the Greeks with the Philosophers and their disciples, the teachers of the Talmud had their disciples called the Talmeed.
This is the beginning of the Rabbi position in Jewish history. The teachers of law and the Talmud were the Rabbis.
This also is the origin of the existence of Jewish schools of thought (i.e. Hillel, Shami, etc.)
The Talmeed Described
Learners and listeners
Had to have a teacher- no rabbi hopping- ever!
Passing along the teachings of the rabbis to carry on the oral traditions.
They were imitators
Could not be a Talmeed without fellowship
They were expected to serve
There was a deep commitment
So, with this understanding of what it meant to be a disciple, does this shed new light on why John’s disciples were so upset? Does this help you understand why the idea of baptism plays so heavily in the conversation.
Listen to Matt 28:19-20 again:
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Apparently, baptism was a public declaration of becoming a disciple. So, when some of John’s disciples left and went to Jesus and were baptized they were publicly identifying themselves as disciples of Jesus- they were rabbi hopping. This just wasn’t done. And John’s disciples were getting nervous. They were under attack theologically from the traditional Jews. And many of John’s disciples were leaving John’s ministry and were becoming disciples of Jesus, and they were making it publically known through baptism.
By the way, have you ever done that? Have you made the decision to be a genuine disciple of Jesus, and have you taken the first step in identifying yourself as His follower through baptism? Baptism does not save, it is something that happens after belief, but it is an essential step in becoming a true disciple of Jesus. It is so important to God that it is part of the Great Commission. Have you done that?
Apparently, the ones who believed John’s testimony, that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world- once they believed in Jesus it was only natural to become disciples of Jesus. To become listeners and learners, to be fully commited to Jesus alone, to become fully commited to the teachings of Jesus, to serve Him, and to imitate Him.
This is the whole point of our faith. Faith in Christ as the Son of God who is able to take away your sins is meant to transform you into a disciple of Jesus. Faith is not a “get out of jail free card” and then I can carry on living my life they way I want to. Genuine belief in Jesus should cause us to become genuine disciples of Jesus.
God will not accept as legitimate a belief that does not result in obedience to Christ.
How do we know that?
Belief in Christ should result in becoming disciples of Christ
II. Becoming a disciple of Christ is exactly what the Father desires of all people (vv. 27-35)
II. Becoming a disciple of Christ is exactly what the Father desires of all people (vv. 27-35)
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
As John’s disciples reflect on the longevity of their rabbi’s ministry, they get a little panicked. So they come to John and they tell him- look John, all people are going to Jesus and he is baptizing them. People are rabbi hopping John, what are you going to do about it? Your ministry is at stake, say something! I love John’s answer.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
John doesn’t panic, he doesn’t worry, he doesn’t despair. Instead, he reveals his faith in God. What John does is to reveal his overwhelming confidence in God’s sovereignty. “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” In other words, “God is in control.” God’s sovereignty stands hidden behind all human activity. No one has anything but what he has received from God.
D. A. Carson:
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to John 7. John the Baptist’s Continuing Witness concerning Jesus (3:22–30)
All gifts come from heaven (a reverential circumlocution for ‘from God’), including the call to a particular station in the stream of redemptive history. For John the Baptist to have wished he were someone else, called to serve in a way many would judge more prominent, would simply be covetousness by another name; if the person he envied were the Messiah himself, he would be annulling the excellent ministry God had given him. Deep discontent over God’s wise, sovereign disposition of people and things would in that instance betray not only unbelief and faithlessness, but the worst form of the perennial human sin, the arrogance that wants to be God and stand where God stands.
In other words, John is saying- God is in control, I am not God, so if all men are becoming disciples of Jesus the Messiah, then this must be exactly what the Father wants to happen. Who am I to say otherwise? I would be a fool to even imply that I could do things better than God. God is perfectly in control of absolutely everything- and that includes MY MINISTRY.
28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
You already know that I am not the Messiah, but the one sent sent before Him to prepare the way for Him. Why would should I panic?
29 “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.
To help them understand his heart, John gives an illustration of a groom and a best-man at a wedding. The person who gets the bride is the bridegroom, not the friend of the bridegroom. Jesus is the bridegroom- He is the one meant for the bride. If fact Christ is the only one worthy of following. Christ, as the Son of God, is the only person that one should follow. And when people believe in the Son, and they become disciples of the Son, it should give one nothing less that great joy. In fact, it is like the best-man at a wedding, when he sees his friend receive his bride, the best-man greatly rejoices when he hears the voice of the groom. (Example: Matt & Becky’s wedding) In other words, what John is saying is that when I see people put their faith in Jesus and become his life-long disciple it gives me nothing less than sheer joy- in fact my joy is filled up to the top!
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
This is John’s attitude. Jesus must increase and he must decrease. Why?
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Jesus is the only one who comes from above. John is of the earth- his origin is earthly and the kind of ministry that he has is of the earth- he speaks only earthly things. Why should anyone become a disciple of one like that? The church has not yet begun, and in fact after the church is instituted, to be a disciple of a mere man and not of Christ is strictly forbidden.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
The only one who is worthy to be followed is Christ- the one from above, the one that comes from heaven- he is above all!
And this is exactly the way the Father wants it.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Jesus, the one who is from heave and above all- he testifies to what He has seen and heard. What has he seen and heard? From what location does his testimony come from? From above, from heaven, from the Father- Jesus’s testimony is what he has seen and heard from the Father. The problem is no one believes Him- no man receives his testimony.
But the person who chooses to believe in the Son and the accept His testimony- this one has set his seal, his mark of approval, to this- that God is true.
Think about what John just said. If you accept the testimony of Jesus you are in the same breath saying that God the Father is true. In other words there is a direct connection between the words of Jesus and the words of the Father- and they are so exactly identical that if you say Jesus’ words are true you are also saying that the Father is true because the words of Jesus and the words of the Father are one and the same- in exactly the same detail. How do we know this is true?
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
The one whom God sent- Jesus Christ, the Son of God- speaks the exact words of God. How is this possible? The Father gives the Spirit without measure. In other words the Father holds nothing back from the Son. Everything that the Father knows, the Son knows because the Father has given the Son the Holy Spirit without measure.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
This is such an incredibly important statement. And this statement is developed all the way through John’s gospel. And it is actually quite meaningful to the every day lives of believers. The Father loves the Son! In what way? How does the Father love the Son? He gives all things into his hand! The Father holds nothing back from the Son- there is full transparency between the Father and the Son. Everything that the Father knows the Son knows- the Father has given all things into His hand, and the Father has given the Son the Spirit without measure.
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
This is an incredible thought. Here we have a description of the love that has existed between the godhead since eternity past. How does the Father love the Son? He shows the Son all things that He Himself does. And how does the Son love the Father? The Son does nothing, and says nothing of himself, but only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, these thing also does the Son likewise. This is an incredible description of the love that exists between the Father and the Son. The Father fully reveals Himself to the Son, He holds nothing back, there is fully transparency. This kind of relationship exists no where else in all creation.
Several weeks ago I took a trip to Canada to do some fishing. One of the consequences of going that far North is that I don’t get good cell phone coverage. As a result I basically go a week without talking to my wife in any form. The moment I get back into the States I start to communicate with her. I send her texts and call her. Then when I finally make it home and I am in her presence I usually spend a good deal of time talking to her about my trip. I try to tell here everything I can. I want her to know about my week, about me personally. There is not another person on earth that I have revealed more about me than my wife. But even if I tried I could never tell here everything that goes on inside of my head. And that is probably a good thing- I am a weird dude. There is some strange stuff that goes on in there.
There is a level of loving transparency that exists between the Father and the Son that is unfathomable.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth
The Father and the Son exist in perfect loving knowing transparency!
And how does the Son respond to that love?
The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise
The Son says and does exactly as the Father has revealed unto Him.
This is precisely why John can say:
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
It is also why John can say this:
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
What Jesus was saying was causing people to believe in His name, and then once they had believed in Jesus as the Son of God they were becoming His disciples- and this was exactly what John wanted because it was exactly what God the Father wants for all people.
Have you received the testimony of Jesus? Do you believe that He is the Son of God? Do you believe that Jesus speaks the exact words of the Father? Have you become a serious disciple of Jesus? Do you follow Him? Do you imitate Him? Do you serve Him? Are you committed to Him? It is exactly what the Father desires. This is the kind of faith that the Father will accept as legitimate. A faith that leads to discipleship, a faith that leads to obedience in Christ.
God will not accept as legitimate a belief that does not result in obedience to Christ.
How do we know that?
Belief in Christ should result in becoming disciples of Christ.
Becoming a disciple of Christ is exactly what the Father desires of all people.
III. Failure to obey the Son results in God’s wrath (v. 36)
III. Failure to obey the Son results in God’s wrath (v. 36)
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
36 ὁ πιστεύων εἰς τὸν υἱὸν ἔχει ζωὴν αἰώνιον·
The one believing in the Son has eternal life;
ὁ °δὲ ἀπειθῶν τῷ υἱῷ οὐκ ὄψεται ζωήν,
But the one who does not obey (refuse to follow) the Son will not see life,
ἀλλʼ ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ μένει ἐπʼ αὐτόν.
BUT the wrath of God abides/remains upon him.
The one believing in the Son- has life eternal
BUT- the one disobeying the Son will not see life
ἀπειθέω- to disobey, or be disobedient.
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Isn’t it interesting that at the end of this narrative John connects the idea of believing in Christ with the idea of obeying Christ?
Faith and obedience are not the same thing, but genuine/sincere faith in Christ produces genuine obedience to Christ.
The whole theme and major thrust of this paragraph is the connection between belief and obedience. Those that believed in the Son, became disciples of Christ. And people following Christ as His disciples in obedience to Him (disciple = imitator, a commited one, one that serves)- and this kind of obedience to Christ is exactly what the Father desires. And to tie all of these thoughts together John ends by saying- those that believe have eternal life, but those that do not obey do not have life, instead the wrath of God abides on them. Why? Why does God’s wrath abide on one who refuses to follow Christ in obedience? Why does God’s wrath abide on one who refuses to become a disciple of Jesus? Because God does not accept as legitimate any faith that does not result in obedience.
It is not perfect obedience. Then no one would be a disciple of Jesus. But genuine faith does produce a progressive level of obedience— a progressive process of being a disciple— a progressive process of imitating Christ in every way possible.
What is John saying here? I think John is saying that there are probably a lot fewer genuine Christians in the world than people like to think. There is no such thing as easy believe-ism. There is no such thing and, here just pray this prayer and your good. Genuine faith results in obedience. Genuine faith produces disciples.
This is the call of the gospel. Will you believe in Jesus as the Son of God who has the power to give you eternal life? Will you put your faith in Christ and follow Christ? Will you then become His disciple? Will you make the decision to obey Christ with the rest of your life. Will you change your mind, will you come out of darkness? Will you place a well thought through faith in Jesus Christ as the very Son of God, and will that faith cause you to become obedient to the words and the will of Jesus as his disciple?
Do you have that kind of faith? Or is your faith a facade? Is it fake? Are you still hiding in the darkness of your evil deeds? I invite you to place your trust fully in Christ. I invite you to turn away from the darkness of your sinful living. I invite you to turn toward Christ and determine to follow Him, to be His disciple, to live in obedience to His commands. It doesn’t mean that you will become perfect. This is a change in your mindset, in your thinking. It is a genuine desire in your heart to no longer live in darkness, but to instead become a disciple, a follower of Christ. This kind of decision, is necessary for genuine faith to occur. Have you really ever done that? It is vital- it is necessary! Why?
God will not accept as legitimate a belief that does not result in obedience to Christ.
I. Belief in Christ should result in becoming disciples of Christ
II. Becoming a disciple of Christ is exactly what the Father desires of all people
III. Failure to obey the Son results in God’s wrath
How about you? Will God accept your belief as legitimate? Have you really believed on Jesus Christ for eternal life?