Expert: Rev C.Brian Ross - 5/24/2010

Question
Hello. My name is James. My question is this: John 5:24 declares that a person receives life (and is born as a child of God) at the instant in which he hears and believes the word of God. But other verses such as John 8:31-32 and 14:15-17, 23 declare that being born again is the outcome of obeying Jesus’ teachings. How can I reconcile these two teachings?  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi James, and thank you for your question.

You are quite right in saying that a person receives life (and is born as a child of God) at the instant in which he hears and believes the word of God.  The best-known example of that is probably the thief who was crucified alongside the Lord Jesus, but who recognised Him or Who He was.  You may remember that, when he made his own profession of faith, Jesus assured him that that very day, he would be in Paradise with Jesus!  There are many other Scriptures that make that even clearer than the one to which you have referred.

John 8:31-32 reads (NLT): “Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." “  The important words are “...the people who believed in Him ...”.  This shows that this reference has nothing to do with salvation – these are people who already did believe in the Lord Jesus.  However, it is one thing to make a nominal profession of faith; it is another thing to live the life of a disciple of Jesus!  What Jesus is saying, here, is that “actions speak more loudly than words”, or “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”!

John 14:15-17 is saying much the same thing.  I might tell you that I love my wife but, if you were then to discover that I spent as little time as possible with her; that I never communicated with her; that I treated her with contempt, you would have every right to question my claim.  It is when you see us together, and know how much we enjoy one another’s company (and that after almost 40 years of marriage!), that you realise that my claim is true!

So, says Jesus, it is your obedience that is the clear evidence of your love for Me.  Again, the assumption is that these are people who are making a claim – but from whom He is seeking evidence of the validity of that claim!

John 14:23 continues the same theme.  Professed love is evidenced by obedience.

So, there is no contradiction in the references you use.  They are dealing with different situations.

I hope that this will have proved to be helpful.  

Blessings

C. Brian Ross (Rev)