Is Jesus defining here who the chosen people, the children of Abraham are?

Question

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%208:39-40;&version=31;

Thank you very much in advance for your answer.

Answer 1

There are no ' chosen people ' once Jesus came and died for our sins.. The distinction was done away with.. Jew, and Gentile, there is no difference, man woman, rich poor.. Everyone is the same and everyone has the same chance at ever lasting life. They are no different not special, they are just like everyone else.. In the same boat trying to be a good Christian accepting Christ as their savior.  

Answer 2

Yes, we need to show fruits that look like miracles.  But they will be miracles because we cannot bear fruit without much prayer.  

This ties in with Philippians 3:3 ~ For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised.  We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.  We put no confidence in human effort. NLT

Also John 15 ~ Remain in me and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot produce fruit unless you remain in me.  NLT

Answer 3

He is teaching them that only those who believe (faith) are the true children of promise who belong to God. The physical didn't automatically qualify them even as Ishmael was sent away.

Answer 4

The Jews bragged on their physical lineage from Abraham and erroneously thought that would save them. Jesus corrects them here by stating that it was Abraham's FAITH alone that will save them.

Answer 5

Sort of.

The men to whom Jesus is speaking are not only denying Jesus' deity, even after His signs confirmed who He is, but the fact that they want to kill him shows whom their real father (or god) really is.

They're behaving like the devil, wanting to kill Him.  But that's not all.  It's not that they don't see the miracles and proof, but they REFUSE not to believe.  And the pride that they're holding to so dearly, which is preventing them from seeing, is also driving them to remove that which would humble them and actually set them free from their slavery to sin.

They think they're safe by being Abraham's descendants by birth.  Jesus is saying that such is not what makes them Abe's children, but it's by faith that they are related, and by whom they resemble in behavior...and their behavior shows that they are children of the Devil, not of God's people.