John 5 Belief & Unbelief

As Jesus walked about Jerusalem he encountered a paralytic by the pool, which some supposed had healing power. As He has done in the past, He does so now. He asks a simple question, do you want to be made well? One would think that this would result in a yes or no answer but that is not what Jesus heard. Instead, the man gave reasons he couldn’t get into the pool! What would you have answered? 

Have you ever encountered people like this paralytic? You might ask them if they want to be saved or would you like to be sure of going to heaven. Listen to how they answer: I think I have done all I need to do. No yes or no but the word “I” sits squarely in their answer. “I think,”. “I need.” Thus they think there is a work they need to do to be assured. Jesus simply says: Believe and you will be saved. There is no work that you can do to be saved. There is no work you can do to measure up to going to heaven because all of our works are like filthy rags in God’s sight. So if I asked you that same question what would you say?