Nicodemus and Jesus
Nicodemus says, I know. I can tell you from personal experience when you are in “I know land,” you really don’t have a clue. The hope is what you think you know peaks your interest to investigate. Nicodemus was investigating Jesus. Why?
Matthew 7:28 KJV And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Nicodemus and the other leaders of the Jews heard something different in the way Jesus taught and Nicodemus says their conclusion was, Jesus is a teacher from God. They had also seen Him perform miracles that could not be done “unless God is with Him.” Nicodemus wanted to know more.
John 3:3 KJV 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Knowing and Believing
Jesus says, well, knowing is not the same as believing. And yet, people today know Jesus the same way Nicodemus did, about Him but not faith in Him.
John 6:28 KJV 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Jesus had fed a huge crowd of people miraculously and they wanted to have their bellies full all the time. They knew what He could do and they wanted that power. Jesus, on the other hand, tells them the work of God is believing in Him as the Son of God.
What work is Jesus talking about, salvation. Salvation is solely the work of God. The things Jesus tells these people (John 6:22-65) defies all they know.
What is their response?
John 6:66 KJV From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
What about those who stayed?
John 6:68 KJV 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
They believed and knew. Believing incorporates knowing. Knowing is part of believing.
Faith is a part of believing in jesus
But knowing without faith (belief) in Jesus as the Son of God is not saving faith.
Ephesians 2:8 KJV 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Every believer knows they have faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God by God’s grace. I know God birthed faith in my heart and through the Holy Spirit I came into a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. I know I would be lying if I gave myself any credit.
Jesus is coming, do you know or do you believe and know. And do you believe what is required to be believed? Come to Christ
