Who is Your Father - God or the Devil?
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | May 10, 2024 | John 8:37-47
KEY VERSE:
⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. . .⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires . . .John 8:42-44 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Just like how children inherit physical and behavioural traits from their parents, we also show the traits of our spiritual father. In John 8:37-47, Jesus talks to the Jews about their spiritual family, asking if they are truly God's children or the Devil's. This passage shows the differences between God's children and the Devil's. God's children show their identity by loving Jesus, accepting His truth, and following God's will. On the other hand, the Devil's children reject Jesus and His truth. They disobey God, deceive others, and are hostile towards God's word. Jesus' words highlight these differences and make us think about our own spiritual identity.
Our spiritual lineage defines our nature and our destiny. If we belong to God, it will be clear in how we live and what we become. But if we belong to the devil, it will also be evident – just like those who opposed Jesus. The religious leaders insulted Jesus by questioning his parentage (John 8:41). Jesus responded by explaining that their true spiritual parent was the devil. This was obvious because their desires were the same as the devil's: to kill and deceive. Jesus also reveals the nature of Satan, who is a liar and the greatest deceiver, even deceiving himself. They rejected Jesus because he spoke the truth they didn't want to accept.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Who is your father – God or the Devil? God is the true Father of all people looking to his Son for salvation. They listen to Jesus and do what he says. The faithful are not simply those on a list of notable people who have lived for Jesus in spectacular ways. No, the litmus test for all of us as children of God is this: Do we live what Jesus teaches?
PRAYER:
Father, forgive me because I have sometimes been arrogant about my achievements and self-righteous because of my religious heritage. Help me identify as your child by my love for Jesus and obedience to your word. May your truth guide my steps and your love fill my heart. I recognize that I find my life, my hope, my joy, and my salvation in Jesus, in whose name I offer you my life and my praise. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: FATHER The word "father" in Greek is "πατήρ" (patēr), which typically refers to a male parent but is also used metaphorically to denote a spiritual or moral authority.
In this passage, Jesus contrasts two spiritual lineages: those who belong to God as their Father and those who belong to the devil. Those who align themselves with God will recognize and love Jesus, who was sent by God. However, Jesus accuses his opponents of being unable to understand his message because they are spiritually aligned with the devil, characterized by their desire to carry out evil desires.
Reflections:
Reflecting on your own life, whose desires do you find yourself more aligned with: God's desires for righteousness and love, or the devil's desires for sin and selfishness? How can you ensure that you are truly aligned with God as your heavenly Father in all aspects of your life?
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