JOHN 8:39b-41 IT’S THE WALK NOT THE TALK

39b “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do the things Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are determined to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the things your own father does.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

In medicine, an inward pathology is usually diagnosed by its outward manifestation. This is virtually a universal truth in the realm of mental illness. For the most part, these individuals fit into the spectrum of what we call normal when it comes to appearance. It is the aberrant behavior of an individual that indicates an underlying neurosis or psychosis. In addition, very few individuals are encountered who are able to acknowledge their illness on their own and before they begin receiving treatment.

Jesus, as the Great Physician, addresses the spiritual disease lurking within the individuals who otherwise appear to believe in him. They may claim to be believers, but their actions will prove otherwise. Like a good physician, Jesus sees their malaise and probes their hearts so that they might understand their disease and accept the treatment that leads to healing. Yet they continue in denial, declaring ever more vehemently that they are well. “Abraham, ‘The Righteous,’ is our father. So we are faithful sons of God.”

It is always a danger to those who are chosen that they allow the wound to heal over on the surface without dealing with the deep damage. From a theological perspective, it is easy for the water of baptism to wash off the surface filth of sin, but it is only the inner baptism of the Holy Spirit that gets to the root of the problem. As Jesus would say, it is one thing to whitewash the tomb and quite another to remove the decay that resides within it. So how can we know? As we are daily challenged by the Spirit, we must assess our true health by examining the manifestations of our motives. St. Paul refers to these as fruits.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:19-23).

Dear Lord, send your Spirit into my life to probe the disease that is within me. Heal me so that my life might exhibit the legitimacy of my spiritual birth from above. May the fruit of my life demonstrate the love, grace, mercy and righteousness of the Father. Amen.