42 耶穌對他們說：「假如 神是你們的父，你們會愛我，因為我本是出於 神，也是從 神而來，我不是憑着自己來，而是他差我來的。 43 你們為甚麼不明白我的話呢？無非是你們聽不進我的道。 44 你們是出於你們的父魔鬼，你們寧願隨着你們父的慾念而行。他從起初就是殺人的，不守真理，因他心裏沒有真理。他說謊是出於自己的本性，因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊者之父。 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
“Like father, like son”: very often we see that father and son (or mother and daughter) not only look alike but also act alike. Jesus’ words are very strong, that those who do not follow Him are not children of God but children of Satan. The determination of who our father is depends on whether or not we listen to the truth or to a lie. Indeed this is the biggest challenge of our time. The truth has been suppressed (Romans 1:18) then exchanged for a lie (Romans 1:25). Our culture is being bombarded with lies and our children indoctrinated. The truth about the origin of life has been surpressed and the definitions of marriage, sex, justice, etc. have been altered.
In his book entitled We Will Not Be Silenced, author Erwin W. Lutzer warns us:
Today there are calls for evangelicals to remake Christianity into a more inclusive religion. There are widespread efforts to make the narrow door wider and to even affirm the salvation of well meaning people of other religions. So-called progressive Christians advance their cause under the banner of love and compassion. In the process, the hard truths of Christianity are either redefined or ignored.
Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) “If God were your Father, you would love me.” (John 8:42) The stakes are very high: in whose word do we abide? The answer to this question reveals who our Father is.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to love Your word and to abide in Your word, so not only will we know the truth, but we will also be set free! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
