This season, we’re blessed with a set of Lenten devotionals by contributing author Lee Hinkle.  Find out more about Lee at the bottom of this article, or at hinkledownunder.com.

Reading

John 8:31-47 (ESV)

Meditation

This is another passage were Jesus is not so gentle. It is one of those places in scripture where the argument of a meek and mild Savior might have a hard time finding proof. It seems like Jesus is just pushing them farther away from him and antagonizing them. “You cannot bear to hear my word.”

[pullquote]We are His disciples when we abide; and we will know the truth, and that will set us free.[/pullquote]How often I feel like one who believes but struggles to hear His word. I forget that if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. I believe that I must do something to be free. His word is where He desires us to abide. We are His disciples when we abide; and we will know the truth, and that will set us free.

We try to attach ourselves to some reasonable linage of holiness first: “We are Abraham’s.” “I have the pedigree.” “I know that I am good enough on my own.” Then we take it to a higher authority: “I am God’s.” [pullquote class=”left”]If I am being drawn to the things of God, than I must be His.[/pullquote]But Jesus points out that if we don’t follow Him we are not of God, because we are trying to maintain our lives in our own righteousness. This makes us full of it. Liars.

The amazing thing is we have assurance that we don’t reside in this place. If we are God’s, then we hear God.

What a great hope. If I am being drawn to the things of God, than I must be His. The proof is that we are hearing and having Christ formed in us.

Prayer

Father, let me hear your voice. Hold me so I will abide in your word. Thank you for making me a truth-seeker and not a liar.

Keep me from wanting my own righteousness. Keep me from desiring credit for my salvation. Let me rest only on your history. Let me rest only in your future. Let me rest in your hope. Amen.

Lenten Action

Write out the things that you think keep you from being loved by God. Then write the things you feel you need to do to change it. Now ask God to take this desire to prove yourself away and give you the Truth of your love and acceptance by Him. Then take the piece of paper and throw it away.

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Lee Hinkle is an American pastor who, with his family of 7, felt God’s call to pack up and plant a church in Fremantle, a town in Perth, Western Australia.  Last Summer, the Hinkles left Indianapolis and arrived in Oz to begin their work.  You can follow their adventures at hinkledownunder.com.