In speaking to His Followers, Jesus says this; John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
In speaking to the Unbeliever Jesus says this; John 8:23-24 23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
In His words to the Believers He makes this promise; John 8:31-32 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
And to the Religious He says; John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Notice the differences between Follower and Believer and the similarities between the Unbeliever and the Religious:
You are not a Believer just because you follow Jesus. Meaning, just because you go to church on Sundays or pray for your food at meals, just because you are a good person because being good makes you feel better about yourself doesn’t make you a Believer. Jesus said that one must remain “faithful to His teachings,” (Vs 31 NLT). And not just on Sundays or when it makes you feel good, but at all times. To remain faithful means that even when it will cause you pain, discomfort or even shame, you still apply His Word to your actions. That is what makes you a Believer, when His Word is reflected in your life at ALL times.
Having some experience with being religious I know the one thing all religious people tend to do, they judge the unbeliever. To a religious person an unbeliever is condemned and not worth the sacrifices of Love. But Jesus, though He sternly admonished them, embraced them and drew them in so He can then lead them into all Truth. (Vs. 26 I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.)
His comparisons were not made to condemn or to set one above the other, but they were made to draw the other in and inspire Hope and Peace, to embrace them with Love and to express the promise of inclusion, that all are able to be adopted into the royal family of God. (Vs. 29-30 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” 30 Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.)
I believe the biggest deception played out in man is that being religious will earn you a place in Heaven. Who will be more surprised when they wake up in Hell, the unbeliever or the religious person? The Good News is, that Jesus has made a way for All to repent and find Salvation. The Truth is, the Miracle of the Cross has broken the chains of the apathetic follower of Christ, the doubting unbeliever and the deception of religion! Jesus remains faithful to His promise made so long ago, He will dispel the lies of Satan and give us the Truth, and that Truth will make us Free!
