"Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people." John 2:23
This passage is very helpful in recognizing there is a kind of believing in Jesus that is not "saving faith." The exact phrase in Greek and in most translations is found in John 1:12 and in John 2:23. In 1:12 we are told that those "who believe in His name" receive the right, the authority to become children of God.
In 2:23 we are told that there were those in Jerusalem "who believed in his name". But Jesus response to them was that he did not trust them, because He knew people.
John uses an interesting parallel of Greek words here, which we see in English if we translate that they "trusted in his name" but Jesus would not "entrust himself to them." The same Greek verb is used: they "believed" but He would not "believe" himself to them.
Evidently the faith referenced in John 1:12 is very different from the faith of the people described in John 2:23. Why did Jesus not trust their kind of trust in Him? Was this deficient faith only superficial? Was it a faith in Jesus as a miracle worker but with no desire to become His disciple? Was it a case of attraction to what He might give but with no desire for a relationship with the Giver?
The other passage in the Gospels in which Jesus clearly distinguishes between some faith and real faith, is found in the story of the Sower and the four kinds of seeds. Remember that only the third and fourth seeds really grew, and only the fourth produced fruit.
I think many Scriptures (such as John 1:12) provide assurances to "real" believers that we are eternally secure in our relationship with God through faith in Christ. But the two passages I've referenced, along with others, provide strong warning signals for those who may be only "superficial" believers.
Jesus does not "entrust" Himself to just anyone. It is possible for people to make professions of faith in Christ and yet never to have entered the relationship that produces eternal life; life with God that is enjoyed now and forever. (John 17:3)
We need to be certain our faith is the kind that is life changing and relationship building. As we help others to believe, we need to help them understand the implications of true faith. We know that Jesus was always looking for true followers, real disciples; not those who only gave mental assent to who He was or simply responded with passing enthusiasm.
I love the wonderful assurance found in I John 5:13. But may we not unwisely or incorrectly offer this biblical assurance to those who don't truly believe.
This passage is very helpful in recognizing there is a kind of believing in Jesus that is not "saving faith." The exact phrase in Greek and in most translations is found in John 1:12 and in John 2:23. In 1:12 we are told that those "who believe in His name" receive the right, the authority to become children of God.
In 2:23 we are told that there were those in Jerusalem "who believed in his name". But Jesus response to them was that he did not trust them, because He knew people.
John uses an interesting parallel of Greek words here, which we see in English if we translate that they "trusted in his name" but Jesus would not "entrust himself to them." The same Greek verb is used: they "believed" but He would not "believe" himself to them.
Evidently the faith referenced in John 1:12 is very different from the faith of the people described in John 2:23. Why did Jesus not trust their kind of trust in Him? Was this deficient faith only superficial? Was it a faith in Jesus as a miracle worker but with no desire to become His disciple? Was it a case of attraction to what He might give but with no desire for a relationship with the Giver?
The other passage in the Gospels in which Jesus clearly distinguishes between some faith and real faith, is found in the story of the Sower and the four kinds of seeds. Remember that only the third and fourth seeds really grew, and only the fourth produced fruit.
I think many Scriptures (such as John 1:12) provide assurances to "real" believers that we are eternally secure in our relationship with God through faith in Christ. But the two passages I've referenced, along with others, provide strong warning signals for those who may be only "superficial" believers.
Jesus does not "entrust" Himself to just anyone. It is possible for people to make professions of faith in Christ and yet never to have entered the relationship that produces eternal life; life with God that is enjoyed now and forever. (John 17:3)
We need to be certain our faith is the kind that is life changing and relationship building. As we help others to believe, we need to help them understand the implications of true faith. We know that Jesus was always looking for true followers, real disciples; not those who only gave mental assent to who He was or simply responded with passing enthusiasm.
I love the wonderful assurance found in I John 5:13. But may we not unwisely or incorrectly offer this biblical assurance to those who don't truly believe.
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