That You May Have Life

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

In our verses for today John notes that there were other signs performed by our Lord Jesus not recorded in his Gospel. It wasn’t that there wasn’t enough evidence of our Lord’s miracles and of His resurrection–indeed, there were plenty of proofs. But the penman who wrote regarding Christ’s resurrection provided sufficient evidence that one stands on solid ground in believing on a risen Savior. John wrote with the intention of confirming our faith.

Indeed, the authors of the scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, gave their accounts without any view of temporal benefit to themselves. Their goal was to establish the faith of their readers–bringing people to Christ and to heaven.

John was zealous for those in his sphere of influence to believe in the risen Savior–it was of utmost importance to him.

The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. (John 19:35)

In like manner, the Apostle Paul burned with passion for the salvation of souls, particularly for his brothers, the Israelites. He writes in Romans:

I speak the truth in Christ–I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit–I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. (Romans 9:1-5)

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1)

The Lord’s first disciples were confident in what their eyes had seen and their ears had heard–propelling them to tell others of a saving faith and life in Christ.

Take It to Heart

We are to be like minded. Not simply living as unto ourselves but also for the good of those God strategically places in our paths. They are not there by chance. Believers have life-saving news for every soul:God richly blesses all who call on Him in faith! We are to speak it and live it.

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:9-13)

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15)

I think it interesting when John writes:  “that by believing you may have life in his name.” We have life in abundance when we walk as He walked–when we manifest His character through the Spirit’s power. This truth greatly affects our here and now. This changes everything when we grab hold and apply the truth that we are to walk as Jesus did. Freedom, peace, joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment–indeed, every promise in Scripture is a “Yes” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). It is the fullness of our joy.