John 8:54

“My claims mean nothing if I am simply honoring myself. They are worthless,” Jesus adds, “But it is my Father who honors me and validates my claims. How is it that you claim the same Father as your God?”  John 8:54 EFP 

Once again Jesus draws a line in the sand. He considers it supremely important that they understand what is at risk here. His point that any self-exaltation is pointless and worthless is not a new one (John 5:31), but having restated that he moves on to a very salient point that bears special attention. There is mutual exclusivity involved in this statement. In other words, it is impossible for both sides of this argument to lay claim to the same father—the same source of truth.

There are times when Jesus is quite laissez-faire about situations of faith and ministry (Luke 9:50), while other times he is very definitive (Matthew 12:30). But when it comes to the core of what the kingdom of God is to be and what will define it he is always direct and to the point. There may be disagreement and disparity amongst believers in terms of what we believe and how we interpret matters of doctrine, but when all is burned away as little more than human understanding of eternal mysteries, one foundation must always be firm and immovable (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). As a believer I cannot claim God as my father and fail to accept Jesus for who he is, the very Word who was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-3). Those are amazing claims, but those very claims are the ones that form the foundation of a faith for which I must be willing to surrender my life. Only then can my life be changed. I must come to point of total belief. I must surrender. Heavenly Holy Ghost power comes in its wake. It’s a life-changing event. I am so slow to learn this concept. Help me. Lord.