Blinded Unbelief, Secret Belief, Disciple of Christ

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 12:37-50

 

John 12:44-46

Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. ⁴⁵ And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. ⁴⁶ I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

(NKJV)

 

The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that our salvation comes by grace, and not our works, however, James teaches us that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). While this may appear to be a contradiction, taken in context the passage in James is a discussion of one saved by grace putting his or her faith in action by caring for those in need. While one is saved just as they are when they accept Jesus as Savior, A fully devoted disciple of Christ will want to put their faith into action through good works, not to be saved but out of love for their savior.

 

Even though Jesus performed many miracles, some still did not believe Him as foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 6:10, 53:10; John 12:37-41). Others believed but remained silent about their belief in Jesus as their Savior out of fear they would be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42). This latter group loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:43).

 

Jesus then speaks, telling them anyone believing in Him is not believing in Him but in the one that sent Him, and that those seeing Him see the one that sent Him (John 12:44-45). Jesus came as a light to the world so that those believing in Him should not be in darkness (John 12:46). One hearing the words of Jesus and choosing not to believe will not be judged by Jesus because He did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17, 12:47). One that chooses to reject Jesus has what will judge him or her, the words of Jesus (John 3:18, 12:48). The words Jesus speaks are the words given to Him by God the Father, words that command everlasting life (John 3:16, 12:49-50).

 

In this passage, Jesus addresses two types of Jews: blinded unbelievers and secret believers.

• Blinded unbelievers (John 12:37-41) – These are the Jewish people Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 53:1, where he wondered who had believed his report and to whom the arm of the Lord is revealed. The remainder of Isaiah 53 provides a prophetic picture of how Jesus would die in a few days by crucifixion. Among these Jews are Pharisees who are blinded to the truth of God’s word standing in front of them because of the threat Jesus presents to their religious power over the people.
• Secret believers (John 12:42-42) – An example of a secret believer would be Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night (John 3:1-21). Nicodemus is also one of the officers who spoke in Jesus’ defense, reminding the Pharisees that a man is not charged until he has a chance to defend himself (John 7:50-51). Nicodemus was also among those who cared for Jesus' body after His death (John 19:39).

 

Jesus’ response to these groups of people are letting them know that belief in Him is not belief in Him alone but belief in the one who sent Him, God the Father (John 12:44). The Pharisees refusing to believe in Jesus because of His threat to their religious power have a problem for their blindness has caused them to violate the essence of the law (Deuteronomy 10:12). The secret believers are among those who hide the light of Christ in them instead of letting it shine as Jesus told us to do (Matthew 5:14-16).  

 

We all must ask ourselves if we are an unbeliever, a secret believer, or a disciple of Jesus Christ.

• An unbeliever – This is not necessarily one who outright claims not to believe in the existence of Jesus but includes anyone who does not deny the existence of Jesus but denies he is the Christ and Messiah sent to die for the sins of fallen humanity. This was the level of unbelief of the Pharisees because they could not deny Jesus’ existence or that he did many good works, but denied that he did his good works as the Messiah (Matthew 12:22-24).
• Secret believer – This individual may go to Church on Sunday, but there may not be much evidence of their belief beyond this out of fear of losing friends. Every believer wrestles with the flesh in their life, with some abandoning the flesh on Sunday and living according to the flesh during the week to keep their friends (Romans 8:6-7). These believers have been evangelized but have not become fully devoted disciples of Jesus by equipping themselves with knowledge of God’s Word, experiencing the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and encouragement through fellowship with other believers.
• Fully devoted disciple of Christ – This is a believer who is evangelized and has accepted Jesus as their Savior. They have been baptized, regularly attend Church, and are not silent about their faith in Christ the rest of the week. They daily study the word of God, like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11), wear the armor of God, and pray without ceasing (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The goal of everyone who has made Jesus their Lord and Savior should be to become a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, as opposed to a secret believer with one foot in the world and one foot in Christ. Romans 12:2 teaches believers not to conform to the world but to allow the renewing of their minds so they become fully devoted disciples of Christ. If anyone is reading this post and has not taken the first step in discipleship by making Jesus your Lord and Savior, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.