Gospel of John - The True Mark of Christianity

By Pastor Ron McKey

One of the greatest human desires is to know our purpose, not just in our lives but in the Kingdom of God. We want to know what God has called us to do, but we won't always know our purpose up front. For most of us, our purpose unfolds as we walk through this journey. But as we look forward to discovering this purpose, there’s one thing we can do – embodying the unconditional love of Jesus.

Until you know exactly what God wants you to do, just be the best person you can be. Be the most Christ-like person you can be, and you will find and fulfil your purpose. Even in the midst of a betrayal, Jesus’s love was unwavering.

John 13:2 NKJV – And the supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

Whatever is in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth and into your life. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” This means your life always moves in the direction of your strongest thought.

One of the most significant practices in Christianity is communion. Communion allows you to reflect on your thoughts and actions. It enables you to judge yourself and make the necessary corrections as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Remember the Four Pillars of Communion

#1 Remembrance

Jesus said we should remember Him as often as we take communion. He wants us to remember the sacrifices He has made. When Jesus died on the cross, it was a bloody slaughter. He shed every drop of his blood. He was almost beaten to death, and it was humiliating. He was broken, bruised, and tortured, and he suffered tremendously. He doesn’t want us to forget the price He paid for our salvation.

We need to take a moment and remember everything that God has done for us. We enjoy the blessings today because of Jesus. So, communion is for remembering and being thankful that Jesus laid down His life for us.

#2 Fellowshipping

Communion is a true God moment. It’s a great opportunity to forget about everything and everyone around you. Nothing else matters; it’s just you and God spending time together. You’re focused on God, worshiping Him. Communion is a time to work on one-on-one fellowship with God.

#3 Correcting

Communion is an opportunity for God to search me and know my heart. This is where I find my true north and recalibrate my life. It’s a time to ask God to reveal all areas of my life that aren't pleasing to Him so that I can make those corrections. Every time we take communion, we have an opportunity to get back on track with the Holy Spirit.

#4 Healing

This is one of the great benefits of communion. In fact, many theologians call communion the meal that heals because the Bible says that by His stripes, we are healed. It is such a spiritual experience of getting connected with God.

Learn to Serve

John 13:5 NKJV – After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Ministry is not about what we can gain, it’s what we can give. So, Christianity is all about serving. The disciples were always jockeying for position, and Jesus was showing them that ministry is not about positions or importance. It's about serving.

The greatest person in the Kingdom of heaven is one who serves others. If you want to be promoted by God, become the best servant. We must have the desire to do whatever God calls us to do. No matter how small the service may seem, be willing to serve God.

Jesus was getting ready to send His disciples into the world. They were going into the world to tell His story and preach the gospel. Jesus realized that this was a precious God moment, and He wanted to love and appreciate them for what they were getting ready to do.

As believers, we are bringing this victory, deliverance, good news, and a word of encouragement to the world. All of us are called to go into the world and serve.

Accept God’s Grace

Accept God’s Grace

John 13:8-9 – Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

There are many theories about what Jesus meant in this verse, but I believe the Holy Spirit is communicating the importance of learning to accept God's grace. We all make mistakes, even when we’re saved. However, it can be hard to receive grace because you feel unworthy of God. But Jesus is reminding us that we'll never have a relationship with Him if we don’t receive His grace. So, you’ve got to learn to forgive yourself and accept grace in your life.

John 13:10 NKJV – Then Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

In biblical times, most people bathed in public bathhouses and walked to their homes. Because they were walking on dusty streets, their feet would get dirty. So, they would need to wash their feet when they got home. This is a picture of our new birth in Christ. When you get born again, you are made clean. But we still make mistakes in life. Jesus is saying that you don't need to get born again every time you sin.

Even when you’re saved, you might fall back into that addiction or yield to temptation. When that happens, you feel guilty because the enemy is right there beating you up. And instead of running to God, you want to run away from Him. When you fall, stand up, brush yourself off, and keep on keeping on. Keep pursuing God and growing. And when you fall again, get up once more. Keep moving in the right direction, no matter how often you fall.

John 13:14-15 – If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Jesus is reminding us to serve others. It’s our responsibility as believers to help others get closer to God. When someone sins, help to wash their feet. Humble yourself and help to restore them to a relationship with Christ.

When someone sins, I'm not qualified to judge them. I should take no joy in their fall. Backbiting, gossiping, criticizing, shaming, and blaming will not build a person. However, restoring, praying, helping, discipling, and loving are bound to bring the person back to Jesus. When someone sins, falls, and fails, we must love, exhort, encourage, and lift them. Get them back into a relationship with God.

Choose Conviction Over Condemnation

Choose Conviction Over Condemnation

John 13:26 – Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

Jesus giving the dipped bread to Judas was God's mercy in action. Giving bread dipped in wine to someone was an extension of friendship. Here, Jesus was giving Judas another opportunity to repent. He was extending His mercy, but Judas refused it. This is an unpardonable sin.

The Bible says that the Spirit of God will not always thrive in the hearts of men. If you keep refusing God in your life, there will come a time when He lets you have what you want. There will come a time when God will no longer convict you, your heart is no longer touched, and the Holy Spirit removes himself. That's an unpardonable sin. Because you won't come to God and receive pardon for your sin, He will leave you alone.

Judas denied Christ and experienced condemnation. Peter denied Christ and experienced conviction. When Judas experienced condemnation, he killed himself. However, Peter repented and drew close to God. So, always choose conviction. Feeling conviction means God is dealing with your heart, growing you, and taking you to another level in your life.

John 13:27 –  Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

Jesus wasn't just talking to Judas now; He was talking to Satan. He's talking to the demonic influence on his life. A Christian can be oppressed by demonic influences. There can be a demonic assignment on your life to discourage, depress, and defeat you. Hence, you need to understand that spiritual warfare is real. And every believer needs to wear the entire armor of God so that we can protect ourselves against everything the enemy wants to do in our lives.

Love Others,

Just As Jesus Loved You

Love Others, Just As Jesus Loved You

John 13:34 NKJV – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Jesus loves you unconditionally. He laid down His life for you and has served you. That's what He wants you to do for others. This is how all people shall know that you are His disciple.

I believe that churches will continue to grow because we're going to understand that people are looking for love. They're looking for a place they can walk in, be accepted, and feel the true love of God in their lives. And when a church learns to love the world unconditionally, people begin to flood through the doors.

The greatest brand for Christianity is how we love other people. It’s how we encourage other people and lift them when they're going through difficult times. It’s how we walk them through the storm they're in. How we love one another is the ultimate trademark of Christia