John 20:31 - The Power of Gods Word and Eternal Life.
John 20:31: The Power of Gods Word and Eternal Life.
John 20:31 (NLT) But these are written so that you may continue
to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by
believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
John 20:31 (AMP) But these are written (recorded) in order that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son
of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and
relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He
is].
John 20:31 (CWR) The things they did record are written so you
can build your faith on the fact that Jesus Christ is the Messiah,
the Son of the living God. Believing this, you can have eternal
life because of what He has done for you.
John 20:31 (MSG) These are written down so you will believe that
Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing,
have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Life-Changing Scriptures
God gave us His Word not merely for our information, but
rather for our transformation. Our faith in both the written Word of
Scripture and the living Word of Jesus opens our hearts to the work of the
Holy Spirit to teach us as well as transform us. Are you making time
for the life-giving Word of God?
God gave us His Word to help us believe as well as to enable
us - by the power of His Spirit - to become the Christlike people
He wants us to be. As you respond positively to Scripture's truth,
the Spirit uses that truth to make you more like Christ. Has God's
Word been changing you?
One more question. If you are spending time studying
Scripture, memorizing passages, and meditating on God's truth, what is your
motive? Is it a duty? a ritual? an obligation? Or is it an act of love?
Consider the most fundamental question. Christ ever asks any one of us:
"Do you love Me?" Everything in our relationship with Him stems from
our honest answer to this one question. Think of that question the
next time you open your Bible. [Being Still With God Every Day by
Henry Blackaby]
WORD STUDY
Life (Gk. zoe) This word in classical Greek was used for life in
general. There are a few examples of this meaning in the New Testament
(see Acts 17:25; James 4:14: Rev. 16:3), but in most instances the
word is used to designate divine, eternal life, the life of God (Eph.
4:18). This life resided in Christ, and He has made it available to all
who believe in him. Human beings are born with the natural life,
called psuche in Greek, which can be translated soul,
personality, or life. Eternal life can be received only by believing in
the one who is Himself life, Jesus Christ. [Nelson SB]
What does it mean to "believe in Jesus"?
"Believing" occupies a central place in John's Gospel. John
does not use the noun "faith" that appears frequently elsewhere in
the New Testament. John prefers the verb "believe" to underscore
that faith is not static, like a doctrine or a dogma, but dynamic,
requiring action. Believing in Jesus is what all true disciples do.
In the Gospel of John, the verb translated "believe" is often
followed by the Greek word meaning "into." No parallel exists for this in
ancient Greek usage. For John, faith is not a status but an investment
in the person of Jesus. Believing means accepting who Jesus is and
what he claims to be. Believing constitutes a commitment to let his
call on our lives change the way we live. Believing is the work God
wants from us (John 6:29) as we abide in Jesus' word, as we love him,
and as we obey his commands (John 8:31; 15:1-17; see 1 John 5:10.
[One Year NLT SB]
COMMENTARY
Johns purpose statement and conclusion of the Gospel proper
rehearse the major themes of the Gospel: Jesus identity as the Christ
and Son of God (see 1:41, 34), his selected messianic signs
(see notes on 1:19"12:50; 2:11), the importance of believing in
Jesus, and the gift of eternal life (see 1:12; 3:16; 17:3). [ESV SB
2008]
John states the purpose of his book. His purpose was to convince
his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled
God's promises to Israel. Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh.
By believing these things, a person obtains eternal life (1:12).
[Nelson SB]
John's Gospel, indeed all Scripture, is written that persons may
believe Jesus is the Savior of the world and receive His love gift of
eternal life. John wrote his Gospel to lead people to faith in Christ
and thus to full, meaningful life. Evangelists today follow the
Fourth Evangelist and seek to bring people to confess Jesus as God's
promised Christ or Messiah, the very son of God in whose name is life.
[Disciple SB]
Here John states that his specific purpose in writing was to win
people to Christ. It is very significant that the divinely inspired
method of doing this (as well as serving as an authoritative guide for
methods of evangelism today) began with a strong affirmation of the
special creation of all things by Christ, followed by a strong
presentation of the program of redemption. In addition to the evidences
provided by the miracles performed by Christ, John stresses the evidences
of His resurrection and victory over death"especially the
evidence of the empty tomb (John 20:8) and the post-resurrection
appearances (John 20:20, etc.). Finally, the written Word itself gives
abundant evidence of inspiration, and thus itself is a strong evidence
(John 20:31). [Defenders SB]
Whereas Luke tells his reader in the opening verses of Luke
(1:1-4) and Acts (1:1-3) what those books are about and why he wrote
them, John hangs the key to his Gospel at the back door of his
narrative (John 20:30-31). That was a common practice in ancient writings.
What we would call a preface was often placed at the end of a book,
where it summarized the writer's purpose. John's "preface" tells us
that he wanted his readers to find faith and life from his narrative.
That's why he included seven sign miracles that show Jesus as the
authentic, life-giving Son of God. [Word In Life SB]
John selected only seven of the many miracles Jesus did (35
specific ones are recorded; see charts) as special signs so that people
would believe. [Ryrie SB]
John tells us that his Gospel records only a few of the many
events in Jesus' life on earth. But the gospel includes everything we
need to know to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
through whom we receive eternal life. [Life Application SB]
Jesus performed "signs" to provoke faith. This was not faith in
a magician but faith in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. Many of
His miracles were not recorded in the Bible, but all were signs to
produce faith. Those recorded should lead us to faith in Jesus. Have you
seen the signs, believed in Christ, and received eternal life? Or do
you read the stories but miss the signs? Are you still spiritually
blind? [Disciple SB]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
It is easy to doubt what we cannot see. That was Thomas's
problem - he needed evidence to reassure him that Jesus had truly come
back to life. Often referred to as "Doubting Thomas," this disciple
did not cling to his disbelief; rather, he was eager to discover the
truth for himself.
It is normal to experience doubt from time to time. However,
if doubt becomes a way of life and doubters choose to remain
stubborn in their questions without attempting to find answers, then
doubt is harmful to faith. But doubt can be productive if handled
correctly. Questioning leads to a search for answers, and finding the
answers strengthens one's beliefs.
Don't let doubt stop you from moving forward in your walk
with God. Search out answers - from the Bible, your pastor, Christian
authors, and through prayer. God is not afraid of your doubts and your
questions. Questioning and finding answers will allow you to make your
faith your own. Then, when you are challenged to answer why you
believe the way you do, you can respond with the assurance of one who
has a personal understanding of faith in Jesus Christ. [The One Year
Bible for New Believers re John 20:24, 25]
We today cannot see Him or feel His wounds, but we have the Word
of God to assure us (vv. 9, 30-31). When your faith falters, do not
ask for signs. Open His Word and let Him reassure you. [Chapter by
Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
If the Word of God did not have Gods stamp of approval, it
would have fallen into obscurity long ago. But it still rings with the
power of God to accomplish its purpose, to lead people to life in
Christ. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley]
Through the Holy Spirit, this book will accomplish in our lives
everything that could happen were Jesus with us in the flesh. [Andrews SB]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
