3 Transformational Life Lessons from John

It is nearly impossible to catalog and describe every lesson that we can learn from the book of John. I love this book. The stories are matchless and the lessons profound. Here are three.

The power of a witness

One of my favorite stories in all scripture is the story of Jesus healing the blind man found in John 9. After the man was healed, he was questioned by religious authorities because there was strong formal opposition to Jesus’ teaching and ministry. They demanded the man tell them who Jesus was and if he was a prophet or a sinner (since he healed on the Sabbath). His answer is perfect.

He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

John 9:25 (ESV)

That simple statement is a powerful witness.

We have that same witness. What did Jesus change in you? In fact, we were blind and now we see. We see God’s glory and grace and mercy. We see great hope and experience perfect peace. He changed the course of our lives and our eternal destiny.

Theological arguments are nearly useless, but the testimony of our experience is irrefutable.

In a world that desperately cries out for love and hope and peace, we have the answer and know the source. What a wonderful reality to share with all we know!

The power of ‘death’

When we seek to live on our own terms, we forfeit the best life we could live. When we die on God’s terms, we discover the best life we could live!

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 12:24–25 (ESV)

The gospel is such a paradox! When we finally realize that our striving and working for the best life is completely vain and useless, we are on the way to discovering what God has for us. There will always be a sense that something is missing from our lives no matter how good they get. We can look everywhere for that something, but it is only found in God.

When we exhaust our store of ideas and resources, we are ready to discover the incredibly rich life God has for us.

Dying to our own desires, agendas, goal and plans opens a door to eternal blessings that begin right now. We receive the gift of eternal, abundant life that is experienced with every breath we take here and then into eternity with Jesus in heaven. What we give up pales in comparison with what we receive from God.

The power of abiding

As Jesus was talking with his disciples on the night he was betrayed, he shared powerful messages about the life that they, and we, are called to. Listen to these words.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:4–5 (ESV)

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:7 (ESV)

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

John 15:9–10 (ESV)

How do we abide in Jesus?

There are three important things we do to abide in him.

1. Read the Bible. Continually feeding on the Word of God helps us to understand what we are to do. There is power in the word. Jesus prayed to the Father and said, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17 – ESV)
2. Obey the Word. The Bible not only instructs us but tells us how to live. By obedience we demonstrate our love for God and experience his presence in its fullness.
3. Pray. Prayer is essential to abiding. We should share our hearts, our hurts, our fears, our joys and our gratitude. We must worship in our prayer and express our adoration as well. Asking God to help us abide is a request that God will always grant.

Get Serious about John

These are just three lessons. I encourage you to embrace these lessons today and begin to experience even more of the love and grace of God.

What lessons have you discovered? Share them in the comments or on our Facebook page.

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