In Whom is No Deceit

In Whom is No Deceit!

The “Red-Letter” Words of Jesus

Day Eight

Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"         

                                                                                                John 1:45-47 (NKJV)

Bad news:

Good news:

Yes, He knows all about our imperfect nature. Even with Nathanael, Jesus never said he was sinless. The good news is He also sees our godly attributes. He knew Nathanael was an honest man having no pretense in himself. That’s why Nathanael openly asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” He wasn’t dissing Nazareth. He simply knew historically the town was of no real importance and had no real impact in that area.

If Jesus encountered you face-to-face like He did Nathanael, what would He say? “Behold, a woman/man indeed, in whom is no _______?” Fill in the blank. Would He be able to positively attest to your Christian character? What about others? What would they say about you?

Honest examination of ourselves can be uncomfortable at times but also necessary. If you hesitated to fill in the above blank or can’t, there’s no condemnation in admitting it. Those issues in your life that need God’s attention: deal with them. Truthfully. Quickly. Sometimes we forget 1 John 1:9 was written to Christians. I can think of two areas in which I need to confess and allow the Holy Spirit to do an inward work. (I have a “short fuse” and I readily judge others.)

Jesus knew Nathanael wasn’t perfect, and yet, He also knew he was a man of integrity without guile. One of the things Jesus says about me is, “Lollie is quick to repent.” What is He saying about you?

Father, just like the psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24, I pray "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." In Jesus' name, Amen.

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/expositors/john/1.htm
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/john/1.htm
https://biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-thebible/john-1-43.html