Is this important scripture overlooked?
It’s not that certain scriptures are lost, misplaced, or denied. Rather, they’re usually surrounded by other better-known texts that tend to suck all the air out of the room. This is one such passage:
“Now, when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man” (John 2:23-25 NKJV).
Is it possible that for some to believe in Jesus and still not be saved?
Doesn’t Scripture make belief in Him the essence of salvation?
Immediately after our text, we find the Lord’s encounter with Nicodemus with the iconic John 3:16 which states that “whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Earlier, John 1:12 had said “…to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
And yet, our text makes it clear that some who “believed” in Jesus were not born again.
The reason given is a fascinating one: Jesus did not believe in them.
When have we ever given thought to whether Jesus believes in us?
The problem, Jesus said, is twofold: a wicked people want a sign, or a miracle; (wicked, meaning no faith), and even when they get it their loyalty is adulterous, meaning it does not last. If it takes miracles to give you faith, miracles would be required to prop up your faith.
Faith may produce miracles, but miracles do not produce faith.
In salvation we come to know Jesus, but He also comes to know us. Jesus said that at Judgment He will say to some, “Depart from me; I never knew you.”
Perhaps we should ask ourselves, “Does Jesus know us?”
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Editor’s note:
How does one get to know and love another? By spending time, talking and listening. Commit to one another.
An interviewer once asked Mother Theresa, “When you pray, what do you say to God?”
Mother Teresa replied, “I don’t talk, I simply listen.”
Believing he understood what she had just said, the interviewer next asked, “Ah, then what is it that God says to you when you pray?”
Mother Teresa replied, “He also doesn’t talk. He also simply listens.”
It’s time to get to know our Lord. Pray, read His Word, and listen.
Fear not if you know Jesus and He knows you.
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