The Strand Study Bible

JOHN

JOHN

1720

found in salvation. David McCasland in The Quotable Oswald Chambers notes:

The only simple thing in human life is our relationship to God in Christ… Coming to Jesus does not simplify life; it simplifies my relationship to God. 1 Salvation has nothing to do with the “do’s and don’ts” that religions place upon their people. God says that salvation is simpler than all that. In fact, according to the Bible, salvation is as simple as: * Receiving a gift (Jn 4:10) – Jesus said, “ If thou knewest the gift of God…he would have given thee living water . ” * Taking a drink of water (Jn 4:13-14) – Jesus said, “ Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst . ” * Eating a piece of bread (Jn 6:32-35,51) – Jesus said, “ I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger . ” * Turning on a light switch (Jn 8:12) – Jesus said, “ I am the light of the world: he that followeth me …shall have the light of life .” * Looking up (Jn 8:23 & 12:32) – Jesus said, “ I am from above…if I be lifted up… I will draw all men unto me .” * Looking over (Lk 23:40-43) – Jesus said to the thief looking over at Him, “ Today shalt thou be with me in paradise .” * Washing your eyes (Jn 9:1-7,39) – Jesus said, “ …I am come into this world that they which see not might see .” * Entering a door (Jn 10:7-9) – Jesus said, “ I am the door: by me if any man enter in , he shall be saved .” * Coming when called (Jn 10:27-28) – Jesus said, “ My sheep hear my voice ...and they follow me…and they shall never perish ” * Believing on Jesus (Jn 11:25-26) – Jesus said, “ …he that believeth in me …shall never die. ” Jean Lovelace Zeiler in Like a Pebble TOSSED recalls her “simple birth” into the family of God when she notes: Not long afterwards, Ivan asked if I would like to have a minister visit me. I told him yes…

The first few minutes after his arrival were very awkward. He introduced himself as Reverend Jones, and I motioned him to one end of the couch while I perched at the other end. We smiled at each other and then quickly looked away. A tense, awkward silence stretched between us while I fiddled with my fingernails. Finally, Reverend Jones cleared his throat. “Ivan tells me you’ve read this Bible three times from cover to cover.” “Yes, Sir, I have.” He smiled. “It’s a wonderful book.” “Oh, yes, Sir, it is.” “You are a Christian, of course?” There was a long pause. “No, Sir.” I shook my head and looked down at my lap. “You’re not?” He sounded amazed. “You’ve read this book three times, and you’re not a Christian? Why not?” I slowly looked up at him. “I don’t know how,” I said simply. He stared at me questioningly, so I continued. “Well, in some places it says, ‘believe and thou shalt be saved.’ Other places say you have to be baptized, and it…” “Jean,” he interrupted, “do you believe that Jesus is the son of God?” I nodded. “Do you believe you’re a sinner?” “Oh, yes,” I assured him. “And do you believe Jesus died for your sins?” “Yes, but…” “Have you asked Him to forgive you?” “Yes…” “Have you asked Him to come into your life?” I looked at him in confusion. “No! I didn’t know I had to.” My mind was whirling now. “Oh, Jean,” he said gently, “let’s kneel right now and talk to the Lord.” Immediately I dropped to my knees beside a little old platform rocker, and Reverend Jones knelt beside me. “Oh, Lord,” I pleaded, “I didn’t know I had to ask You to come in, but that is what I want. Please come into my life and forgive me of my sins. Make me clean.” Tears fell unashamedly.

What a sense of love washed over me as I knelt there weeping softly. Such an overwhelming feeling of acceptance – like nothing I’d ever experienced before. As I got up and slowly sat back down on the couch, it was as if that faded old living room were bathed in a golden light. The most reverent temple in the whole world could not have felt as holy as that simple little room felt to me. This was truly holy ground. 2 Religion has made salvation way too complicated. Just trust the simplicity that is found in Jesus alone (II Cor 11:3), and you will never perish. 4:21 CHRIST was letting all of Israel know that the Jewish Temple ( nor yet at Jerusalem ) was no longer going to be necessary in the worshipping of God, for HE was the fulfillment of everything the Temple (Rev 21:3), the Temple furniture (Exo 25-27) and its sacrifices ( Gen 3:21 & 22:8a and Jn 1:29a ) had depicted.

1 McCasland, David. The Quotable Oswald Chambers , Grand Rapids, MI, Discovery House, 2008. Print. 2 Lovelace Zeiler, Jean. Like a Pebble TOSSED , Phoenix, AZ, ACW Press, 1998. Print.