Correspondence: John 10:34-35; 1 John 1:9

From: Young Christian: Volume 1, 1911

Correspondence: John 10:34-34; 1 John 1:9

John 10:34‑35; 1 John 1:9 • 2 min. read • grade level: 6

Question 24. What is the meaning of John 10:34-35³⁴Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? ³⁵If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; (John 10:34‑35)? H. M. C.

Ans. In verse 33 they call the Lord Jesus a blasphemer, because He said He was the Son of God. He answers by quoting Psalm 82:6⁶I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. (Psalm 82:6), where judges, or rulers, or great men of Israel are called gods (Hebrew: elohim; this word is used for men in Ex. 12:12; 21:6; 22:8-9,28¹²For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. (Exodus 12:12)
⁶Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. (Exodus 21:6)
⁸If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges, to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbor's goods. ⁹For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbor. (Exodus 22:8‑9)
²⁸Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. (Exodus 22:28).)

The Lord had given every proof in His words and works who He was (John 14:10¹⁰Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (John 14:10)). He referred them to His works as proof that the Father was in Him, and He in the Father, Alas! their hearts were hardened, and their eyes were blinded by sin, or they would not have sought Him to stone Him.

Man’s heart, even when religious, is at enmity against God (Rom. 8:7⁷Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)).

Question 25 Please explain 1 John 1:9⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Ans. Confession is telling out my sins to God. It is as if a child said to its parent, “I have done wrong”, then the parent encourages the child to tell what it has done. “I broke a window by throwing a stone at my brother. I threw the stone because I quarreled with him. I quarreled with him because I wanted the thing he had. To punish him I tried to hurt my brother.”

Then the wise parent points out to the child the sins of disobedience, (for he had been told not to throw stones) anger, selfishness and covetousness. And another thing may be pointed out that he was powerless to hinder the evil, for he did not look to the Lord for strength; “Watch and pray that ye enter” not into temptation.”

So in confession, my heart is searched in the presence of God. And wonderful grace! “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,” “faithful” to His own character; and “just” because of the work done by the Lord who bore the judgment of our sins. He now righteously forgives us. And more He “cleanses us from all unrighteousness.” Our condition of soul is met by the Lord showing us what sin is, thus making us to hate it as a thing God hates, so that we might, through His grace, be kept from trifling with sin. Those who trifle with sin, fall under its power.

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