"39 They answered HIM, "Abraham is our father." JESUS said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,
40 but now you seek to kill ME, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did.
41 You are doing the works your father did." They said to HIM, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one FATHER-even GOD."
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.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe ME.
46 Which one of you convicts ME of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe ME?
47 Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD."
Recently I kneeled to pray and I began something like this: "Heavenly Father, thank you so much for PROVIDING a way for me to even approach YOUR throne"! Immediately I was caused to stop and consider that GOD is the ONE Who draws us to HIM (John 6:44), and HE provides for us (Hebrews 13:20-21) ,and HE even sent JESUS to earth for our ransom. Since HE did (and continues to do) all of this, don't you think HE has our best interests in mind when trying to get us to TRUST HIM?
One thing that must not be overlooked was the hierarchy (scribes and Pharisees) of the Jewish culture were attempting to catch JESUS in a trap! The Jewish leadership was unsupportive of JESUS CHRIST, so much so they wanted HIM removed from "this world"! Satan is always trying to twist words and manipulate conversations to his advantage (John 8:4-5). But JESUS "knew their hearts" and simply turned their own words back on them. It doesn't get much sweeter than hearing the enemy being tripped up by his own words!
When we TRUST HIM for our very existence we are admitting that we are HIS servants, but HE is able to PROVIDE our needs (Philippians 4:19) and get glory from our lives! The purpose of our existence is NOT TO LIVE A LIFE OF COMFORT AND LEISURE, regardless of what is taught by some "religious hierarchy" (John 8:44)! We are created to glorify GOD in heaven and HE will PROVIDE what we need to accomplish HIS will!
GOD continues to PROVIDE our needs. HE PROVIDED JESUS as an avenue for us to come to HIM. JESUS says HE "came not of MY own accord, but "HE SENT ME"! GOD knew before HE created "this world" that JESUS would be required for the redemption of mankind.......and HE created us anyway! Is it too much to ask for us to praise and worship GOD for all HE has done for us? JESUS had a purpose when HE came to earth. We have a purpose also! JESUS said "HE SENT ME", and I am so glad HE did! What is mine and your purpose???
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