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A
Real Jew
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, He described him as “an
Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47). Look at the
description carefully, “an Israelite indeed.” Apparently there were some
who claimed to be Israelites but were not. Not Nathanael, though. He was
a true Israelite, a genuine Jew.
“Who, then,“ we wonder, “were the fake Jews? Who were those who
were not ‘Israelites indeed‘?”
We are reminded of another discussion that our Lord had with some
Israelites. He told them, “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants,”
but then turned around and said, “If you were Abraham’s children, you
would do the works of Abraham.” He then said, “You are of your father
the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (John
8:37-47). This is interesting, indeed. Here were people who were
Abraham’s descendants by birth (thus, Israelites), but who were
not behaving as Abraham’s children ought. Jesus indicates that by
their godless behavior they were no longer a part of Abraham’s lineage.
They apparently thought that being born into the family was the
all-important matter. Sadly, though, they had come to be children of the
devil through their actions.
This helps to explain some other words that Jesus said about some
Jews in Smyrna. In a letter to the church there the Lord described “the
blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a
synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9). We take it that these were also
‘Jews’ by birth, fleshly descendants of Abraham. But they were not real
Jews, showing by their ‘blasphemy’ whose children they really were.
Is there not a lesson here for the ‘children of God’ today?
Beloved, it is not enough for us to say that we once were born
into the family of God. It will not suffice to merely recall the
occasion when we came to faith in Jesus, turned from our life of sin,
and were baptized into Christ. The importance of this past series of
events cannot be overstated, surely -- but our standing before God as
His children is a matter of the present tense. Are we being His
children by honoring Him with lives that are daily yielding to the doing
of His will?
Fellow-Christian, look what our Lord said. To one church He
pleaded, “Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will
be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and
daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:17,18). Being a child of God is a matter of
the present (“be”), not just of the past.
To His disciples Jesus said, “But love your enemies, do good, and
lend… and you will be sons of the Highest” (Luke 6:35). Being a
child of God is a matter of the present (“be”), not just of the past.
Too many ‘Christians’ have looked on their entrance to God’s
family as the fake Jew looked upon His, with pride. “I’ve been baptized!
Don’t bother me with all this talk about diligence and steadfastness.”
(Get an entire congregation of such minded people and, per Revelation
2:9, we suppose they’d make up a ‘church of Satan.’ Give it some
thought.)
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples
indeed” (John 8:31). Sounds quite a bit similar to the statement made
about Nathanael, doesn’t it? “Disciples indeed.” But we must “abide
in” Jesus’ word.
Fellow-disciple, are you a ‘real Christian’?
--Mike Noble
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