Let’s face it, we like our freedom.
We like that in Christ we’re free from the Old Testament law. We like the idea of living by faith, not rules. But freedom still requires submission. Even in our freedom, we either submit through faith to God, or we submit to the enemy.
We must understand, submitting actually is a form of commitment. So if we say we submit to God, we also must commit to become like him.
Who do we commit to?
John 5 begins with the story of a man who has been an invalid 38 years. As is his habit, Jesus addresses the man with an unusual question. “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6). It seems like a silly question. Of course he wants to be healed. But Jesus understands the human heart. While the man might want to be able to walk, he may not want the responsibility that comes with being whole.
The question really addresses the man’s values. Or more to the point, who he’s submitted to. Jesus is saying, if he wants to be healed, he must acknowledge Jesus’ authority. And initially, the man chooses Jesus because he wants to be healed.
It’s such a simple healing, it probably wouldn’t be noticed on any other day. But this is the Sabbath. The Jews tell the man, in carrying his mat as Jesus commanded, he’s breaking the Sabbath.
Maybe at this point the man realizes Jesus is on the fringes of acceptability. Maybe he fears the Jews. Whatever his reasoning, he prefers the Jews’ approval to Jesus’, and he tells them Jesus is responsible for his sin.
Jesus isn’t fooled, of course. Listen to his warning: “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14).
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
The spiritually healed need to stop sinning
When this man tells on Jesus, he’s picking sides. And while we may judge him for choosing unwisely, we need to realize we face the same choice every day.
The first-century Jews had created a social order that excluded God. Yes, it was founded on the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law. But the Jews’ understanding of these laws had strayed so far from the heart of God that Jesus, God’s own Son, was considered an outlaw.
The United States also has strayed from its Christian roots. Religion is strictly excluded from government and schools. White lies and cheating are considered normal business practices. In order to succeed, Christians feel compelled to lay down their Christian values and adopt the world’s way of doing things.
We need to listen to Jesus’ reprimand. See, you have accepted me as your Savior. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.
Jesus must have full authority in our lives
In this week’s story, the Jews are defending one of God’s commandments. Jesus’ response indicates rules aren’t the authority. Even God’s rules. Because we tend to take them out of context and misunderstand their purpose.
It isn’t God’s commandments, but Jesus who is our authority.
How can we know the difference? We must adopt the heart of Jesus to know. It’s a difficult process, often messy, and it takes a lifetime. But we must submit to his authority and allow him to change us so we can know what’s important to him.
It begins with three simple attitude changes:
1. Rely on the Bible to teach us who Jesus is and what he cares about. We tend to read the Bible for dos and don’ts. Yes, we like our freedom. But we also like rules because they allow us to measure our progress and judge ourselves against others. When we turn God’s word into mere rules for living, we deny its power and refuse to allow it to change us.
In verse 46, Jesus says Moses wrote about him, which means the law should lead us to know him better. Realizing this, when we read the Bible, we must focus on what it says about Jesus and God’s desire for us, his creation. We must judge ourselves—not others—with his words.
2. Adopt the heart of Jesus. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). He wants us to have the love of God in our hearts, and that can only happen if we know him intimately.
3. Don’t accept the testimony of your fellow man. We need to rely on God for our self-esteem. The world’s way of doing things is wrong, so we shouldn’t try to please them. Besides, anyone who commits to live by faith is essentially turning his back on the world. Expect others to notice, but don’t allow them to change your mind, as the man in our story did. Believe Jesus, and commit to follow him.
Food for thought
We must allow God’s word to come to life in our hearts. That means reading it, digesting it, and making it part of our lives. You might say the Bible is our guidebook to God. But it isn’t superior to God. After all, the source is far more important than its reflection. What are you doing to allow God’s word to speak to you?
Jesus says God always is at work. That being the case, we always must listen. Only then can he help us make right choices that honor him. Can you identify an area where God is at work in your life? Are you willing to follow, no matter where he leads?
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.