These Things
These Things
Text: John 21:24–25
The Gospel of John closes with a remarkable statement from the beloved disciple:
John reminds us that what he recorded about Jesus Christ is both true and intentionally selected. He witnessed the life, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection of Christ firsthand. Yet he did not write everything he saw. The Holy Ghost guided him to write exactly what God wanted preserved in Scripture.
There were many other things Jesus did that were never written down. That truth should remind us that the Bible contains everything God intends for us to know. What is written is sufficient for our faith and life. If something is not included in Scripture, then it is information God deemed unnecessary for us to concern ourselves with.
As believers, we are accountable not to speculation, traditions, or extra-biblical writings, but to what God has written in his word. The Scriptures stand as the final authority for truth and doctrine. As one famous saying goes: “It’s not the things in the Bible I don’t know that bother me, but the things in the Bible I do know.”
John wrote “these things” for a purpose. When we examine his writings, we see that they point us toward three major realities: salvation, sanctification, and sound doctrine.
Salvation
John wrote so that people might be saved.
Jesus Himself declared: “If I receive witness from men, the witness of God is greater…” (John 5:34). John explains further in his epistle: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13).
Salvation is received through believing on Jesus Christ. John makes this clear in the opening chapter of his Gospel: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:11–12).
Those who refuse to believe God’s testimony about his Son effectively make God out to be a liar. Scripture warns: “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4), and the seriousness of rejecting the truth is underscored in Revelation: “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” (Revelation 21:8).
But for those who receive Christ, salvation brings tremendous blessings. The believer receives the witness of the Holy Ghost and has their name recorded in the book of life. Eternal life is given immediately: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” (John 3:36)
Salvation also removes condemnation. “He that believeth on him is not condemned.” (John 3:18). “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation.” (John 5:24). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). As A. W. Tozer wisely observed, “Salvation is not a reward for the righteous; it is a gift for the guilty.”
Sanctification
John’s writings also point believers toward holy living. Jesus prayed for His disciples:
Purification often involves separation, as believers are called to come out from worldly influences and live unto God. It also comes through washing, as the Word of God cleanses the heart and mind. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9).
At times, purification comes through fire, the refining trials that strengthen our faith.
Ultimately, sanctification comes through the words of God. Scripture describes the word as pure, eternal, cleansing, burning, and powerful. “The words of the LORD are pure words.” (Psalm 12:6). “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89). “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:26). “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:29). For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
God’s word purifies, shapes, and sanctifies His people.
Sound Doctrine
Finally, John wrote so believers could recognize truth and avoid deception. Jesus said: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” (John 7:17)
Sound doctrine becomes clear when a person is committed to obeying Christ. Scripture warns that false teaching will increase in the last days. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1).
These teachings often come from self-willed teachers who follow their own desires rather than the Word of God (Titus 1:7; 2 Peter 2:10). John warned believers about these deceptive influences: “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” (1 John 2:26).
His Gospel even illustrates the danger through the betrayal of Judas in John 13, reminding readers that falsehood can exist close to the truth. Believers must test every spirit and remain anchored in the Word of God. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1).
Conclusion
The canon of Scripture represents the very mind and words of God, given by divine inspiration and preserved in a book. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Extra-biblical writings and traditions may contain historical value, but they are not divine revelation and must never be elevated to the authority of Scripture.
John reminds us that many other things Jesus did were never written (John 21:25). The Lord Himself restrained what was recorded. God gave us exactly what He intended for us to have.
The truth is simple: All you need is all you have, and all you have is what is written and sitting on your lap. The Scriptures we hold are sufficient for salvation, sanctification, and sound doctrine.
It is fitting that John ends his Gospel with the word Amen. “Amen” means so be it, truly, or with approval. It is a declaration that something is true and settled. Jesus Christ Himself identifies with that title: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness…” (Revelation 3:14)
Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the final authority of truth.
John closes his Gospel as though Christ himself is placing his seal upon everything written.
The testimony is true.
The record is complete.
The witness stands.
Just as Christ sealed the Gospel with an Amen, today he will seal your heart & soul with an Amen, if you believe.
Believe Him for salvation.
Believe Him for sanctification.
Believe Him for sound doctrine.
Text: John 21:24–25
The Gospel of John closes with a remarkable statement from the beloved disciple:
“This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:24–25)
John reminds us that what he recorded about Jesus Christ is both true and intentionally selected. He witnessed the life, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection of Christ firsthand. Yet he did not write everything he saw. The Holy Ghost guided him to write exactly what God wanted preserved in Scripture.
There were many other things Jesus did that were never written down. That truth should remind us that the Bible contains everything God intends for us to know. What is written is sufficient for our faith and life. If something is not included in Scripture, then it is information God deemed unnecessary for us to concern ourselves with.
As believers, we are accountable not to speculation, traditions, or extra-biblical writings, but to what God has written in his word. The Scriptures stand as the final authority for truth and doctrine. As one famous saying goes: “It’s not the things in the Bible I don’t know that bother me, but the things in the Bible I do know.”
John wrote “these things” for a purpose. When we examine his writings, we see that they point us toward three major realities: salvation, sanctification, and sound doctrine.
Salvation
John wrote so that people might be saved.
Jesus Himself declared: “If I receive witness from men, the witness of God is greater…” (John 5:34). John explains further in his epistle: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13).
Salvation is received through believing on Jesus Christ. John makes this clear in the opening chapter of his Gospel: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:11–12).
Those who refuse to believe God’s testimony about his Son effectively make God out to be a liar. Scripture warns: “Let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4), and the seriousness of rejecting the truth is underscored in Revelation: “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” (Revelation 21:8).
But for those who receive Christ, salvation brings tremendous blessings. The believer receives the witness of the Holy Ghost and has their name recorded in the book of life. Eternal life is given immediately: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” (John 3:36)
Salvation also removes condemnation. “He that believeth on him is not condemned.” (John 3:18). “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation.” (John 5:24). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). As A. W. Tozer wisely observed, “Salvation is not a reward for the righteous; it is a gift for the guilty.”
Sanctification
John’s writings also point believers toward holy living. Jesus prayed for His disciples:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). Sanctification is closely connected to purification. God refines his people through trials, sufferings, afflictions, rebukes, and chastening.
Purification often involves separation, as believers are called to come out from worldly influences and live unto God. It also comes through washing, as the Word of God cleanses the heart and mind. “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9).
At times, purification comes through fire, the refining trials that strengthen our faith.
“I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10). “That the trial of your faith… might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7). Isaac Watts once wrote: “Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise Physician prescribes.”
Ultimately, sanctification comes through the words of God. Scripture describes the word as pure, eternal, cleansing, burning, and powerful. “The words of the LORD are pure words.” (Psalm 12:6). “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89). “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:26). “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:29). For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
God’s word purifies, shapes, and sanctifies His people.
Sound Doctrine
Finally, John wrote so believers could recognize truth and avoid deception. Jesus said: “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” (John 7:17)
Sound doctrine becomes clear when a person is committed to obeying Christ. Scripture warns that false teaching will increase in the last days. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” (1 Timothy 4:1).
These teachings often come from self-willed teachers who follow their own desires rather than the Word of God (Titus 1:7; 2 Peter 2:10). John warned believers about these deceptive influences: “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” (1 John 2:26).
His Gospel even illustrates the danger through the betrayal of Judas in John 13, reminding readers that falsehood can exist close to the truth. Believers must test every spirit and remain anchored in the Word of God. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1).
Conclusion
The canon of Scripture represents the very mind and words of God, given by divine inspiration and preserved in a book. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Extra-biblical writings and traditions may contain historical value, but they are not divine revelation and must never be elevated to the authority of Scripture.
John reminds us that many other things Jesus did were never written (John 21:25). The Lord Himself restrained what was recorded. God gave us exactly what He intended for us to have.
The truth is simple: All you need is all you have, and all you have is what is written and sitting on your lap. The Scriptures we hold are sufficient for salvation, sanctification, and sound doctrine.
It is fitting that John ends his Gospel with the word Amen. “Amen” means so be it, truly, or with approval. It is a declaration that something is true and settled. Jesus Christ Himself identifies with that title: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness…” (Revelation 3:14)
Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the final authority of truth.
John closes his Gospel as though Christ himself is placing his seal upon everything written.
The testimony is true.
The record is complete.
The witness stands.
Just as Christ sealed the Gospel with an Amen, today he will seal your heart & soul with an Amen, if you believe.
Believe Him for salvation.
Believe Him for sanctification.
Believe Him for sound doctrine.
Posted in Believing, Eternal Life, Gospel, Salvation, Scripture, Words of God, Sanctification, Sound Doctrine
Posted in Sound Doctrine, salvation, sanctification, Scripture, Words of God, Believing, Eternal Life, eternal security
Posted in Sound Doctrine, salvation, sanctification, Scripture, Words of God, Believing, Eternal Life, eternal security
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