 |
|||
| Books | Sermons | Today's Devotion | |
| Devotion Archives | Scripture Reference Index | Sermon Archives | |
| Home | About Us | Contact Us | Links |
Devotions from Gospel Chapel Ministries HOME SERMONS SERMON NOTES
HIS NAME
JOH 3:18; "He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Let's consider the word name and take it into the original. The word name comes from the Greek word onoma which means "a name." Do you know what that means? PHI 2:9 says, "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." When the Father gave His dear Son "A NAME," it was the designation of all authority!
The name, Bill Clinton, in itself means nothing, but add to that the words President of the United States and now he has been given a name. Do you see the difference? There is authority now in the name. The Lord gave Jesus a name above every name.
Now let's go back to JOH 3:18; "He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." In other words, those who have never learned to reverence the authority of His Son are under condemnation. Why? V:19 says, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light [Why do they love darkness rather than light? They love darkness because they have never recognized the authority of that Name Jesus! They have never learned reverence for that holy Name!], because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," JOH 3:16, does not say that the gift of God's Son is to all who keep the letter of the law as a Pharisee. This Scripture deals with a heart problem, "...and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." That is where the condemnation lies; it is a heart problem concerning what they love; it is not because the letter of the law was or was not followed.
As we hold these verses in context we must understand where the condemnation lies to fully understand what it means to be free from condemnation. By believing in the name of the only begotten Son of God we become free of condemnation. It is the believing in that name, coming into a holy awe and reverence for that authority that causes sin to become exceedingly sinful, then we no longer cherish it. When we come to believe on the name, a name with authority and character, when we believe in that Kingly office, then we begin to understand what it means to believe in Christ. The effect of believing in that name follows in PHI 2:12, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
Notice the phrase ye have always obeyed. Don't stop obeying. Christ obeyed and God gave Him a name; if you have any reverence for the obedience of Christ and the authority that was given to His name for such perfect obedience, then you should also obey.
If we have had but a glimpse of the Father's love in giving His Son, seeing how He was willing to condescend to any sacrifice, except that of truth and justice, to save fallen man, we have to understand the sacrifice the Father made. He would not sacrifice justice, because then sin could be forgiven without payment of penalty. He would never sacrifice truth; He could condescend to the giving of His own Son, but He would never stoop to sacrifice truth and justice to save fallen man. Now we can begin to see why it says in the context of our text, "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God," JOH 3:21. That is believing in the name of the Son of God! People who act in truth do not try to hide their sins nor do they flee from the light of His Word.
Believing in the "NAME" of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is much more than a decision, or a certain experience; it is the attitude of the heart toward the authority which the Father delegated to His dear Son for such obedience.
EPH 4:21-24 says, "If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Do you see that believing in Jesus is an attitude adjustment; it is a matter of reverencing the authority of Christ instead of running from the light so sinful deeds are not made known. There is the condemnation. Do you run from the light to hide your deeds, or do you come to the light so any infractions will show up and can be remedied?
Our believing in Christ is made evident by our love for one another which is the first evidence of our reverence for His highest command. EPH 4:30:32 says, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Beloved, I must ask you a very personal question! Do you believe "...in the name of the only begotten Son of God?" Do you have a holy reverence for that authority which the Father gave His Son as the reward for His perfect obedience? Then read EPH 5:1-2, "Be ye therefore followers [or imitators of God as it is in the original] of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." If you profess to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, be an imitator of Christ, and walk in love "...as Christ also hath loved us," ROM 8:29. Amen.
Blessed Be the Name
All praise to Him who reigns above,
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die.
That He might man redeem
His name above all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father’s own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.
Redeemer, Saviour, Friend of man,
Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation’s plan,
For Thou hast died for all.
His name shall be the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace;
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Our sermons and devotions are a ministry of Gospel Chapel located in Conrad, Montana. We also have a daily devotion and sermon notes on-line. We pray this devotion has been a blessing to those who read it. Thank you.