How Do We Know If Something Is From God?

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John 7:14-24

14 About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. 15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. 19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?” 20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?” 21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it. 22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? 24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

 
 

The Feast of Booths is taking place in Jerusalem, and Jesus is teaching in the temple grounds. One of the problems He is facing is that people are skeptical of His teaching, so He gives them a simple way to know if He is from God:

  1. Choose first to be obedient to God and act accordingly;

  2. And then you will be able to discern whether this or that teaching is from God.

17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority [John 7:17].

Jesus is facing opposition because He healed a man on the Sabbath, but He points out that because it is permissible to circumcise a baby on the Sabbath. It makes no sense that healing a man’s body on the Sabbath is somehow disregarding God’s law.

QUESTION FOR THE DAY
Obedience is the foundation to so much of the Christian life. Where do you need to exercise obedience today?