He certainly was from God

He certainly was from God 

by David Brenneman 

"So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out. Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

John 9:24‭-‬41.

Oh that boldness of the healed man!  He easily was an adult in age.  Truly was a shame that his own parents feared the Pharisees that much.  But I love that verse..."The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

It's very saddening to hear of those who so easily dismiss the works of God in the world today.   Calling such things coincidences.  

What's been funny to me is hearing even the unbelieving stumble over what they know is wrong yet because current culture says something is acceptable when clearly God's Word says otherwise...they can't handle it.  They really want to agree with the Biblical viewpoint but are more afraid of lawsuits than God, which certainly isn't funny at all. 

"All it takes for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing" is a very popular quote. 

Jesus certainly was from God and by many countless- actually -signs and wonders, He proved it.  

Even today so many millions of people are just like these Pharisees and Sadducees.  Seeing the truth yet not seeing.  Hearing yet not hearing.  

It's a daily occurrence for me.  To run into those who are so close yet so far away from the truth of God's word.   What's worse by far is the same kind of silencing of people because of veiled threats is still in today's society.  If you don't show by actions and words that you're supporting what God's Word says is sin, you're now the enemy.  

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 3:1‭-‬5.

Jesus said that these kinds of people would be those we would run into.  He had Paul teach those in the Church to stand firm.  Many times those were the words said.  To stand firm.   Here in this story of that healed man, we see several examples of standing firm.  The healed man stood firm and was rewarded by being able to meet Jesus face-to-face and to worship Him.  Jesus stood firm and exposed these leaders of the people. 

We're going to face opposition.  I certainly do in my workplace...as I have in most every place I have worked.  Those living in sin are not allowed to be offended, but those who live in Christ must accept being offended.  This is a most destructive way of life. 

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:13.  

Standing firm isn't a leisure stance.  

Standing firm is a stance of war.  

Standing firm, you're suited up, shield shined and oiled, sword drawn and in the ready-ready position. Helmet straps tight.  The stance is one that says "This far and no farther!" a stance that's ready to advance on the enemy. You aren't playing dress-up in that Ephesians 6 armor!  You're not going through various things in your life for Jesus just to give you something to do.  Each small battle is to prepare for the bigger ones.  Standing firm.

Jesus certainly was from God.  I would certainly say that this healed man became a follower of Jesus.  Jesus, and I would say this because it wasn't written, didn't tell this man to go and sin no more.  

Did you notice that the Pharisees said nothing when this man immediately worshiped Jesus?  I can see Jesus smiling when He revealed Himself...can see His sadness at what He said to those Pharisees next.  

It's not easy to stand firm...to dig in my position.  Not everyone is going to agree with you in doing so.   This man’s parents were afraid to do so.

I will always rather stand with God and be judged by the world than to stand with the world and be judged by God. 

We're not going to suit up in the whole armor of God just to walk around an hope we're not noticed by the Devil.   He certainly will see and know what's going on.  He will certainly try to get us to change our way of thinking.  Will try to get us to put down what defenses we have. To convince us that things aren't that bad.  

Sin is what Jesus died for.  The sins of the world, in all human history, were heaped upon Jesus.  Jesus stayed on the cross because of His love for humanity.  He could have come down at any time.  He stood firm and salvation came as a result.   

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.

"Stand up, stand up for Jesus

ye soldiers of the cross;

lift high his royal banner,

it must not suffer loss.

From vict'ry unto vict'ry

his army he shall lead

till ev'ry foe is vanquished

and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

the trumpet call obey;

forth to the mighty conflict

in this his glorious day.

Ye that are men now serve him

against unnumbered foes;

let courage rise with danger

and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

stand in his strength alone;

the arm of flesh will fail you,

ye dare not trust your own.

Put on the gospel armor,

each piece put on with prayer;

where duty calls or danger,

be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,

the strife will not be long;

this day the noise of battle,

the next, the victor's song.

To him that overcometh

a crown of life shall be;

he with the King of glory

shall reign eternally."

- 'Stand up, stand up, for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross'. Author: George Duffield (1858)

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. Lockman Foundation.