God's Word (John 1)



Read John 1:1-18

The Word of God is a highly debated topic in our world. There are many that doubt it's truth and origins. However if we read God's Word we can learn several things about it. Our texts lists several attributes of the Word, but let's start at the beginning. John starts our passage with "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." One of the first things we can learn is that the Word is Jesus Christ. John alludes to this later when it says "and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (vs 14). 

Next we read that the Word is living and life giving. "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:3‭-‬4 ESV) If we look at the very first book and chapter of the bible it's very obvious that God's Word is life-giving. Seven times in Genesis 1 it says "and God said," and whatever He speaks comes in to being! He created the whole world just by His Word! Not only is God's Word life-giving it is also alive! Hebrews 4:12 tells us that "The Word is living and active". Jesus even calls Himself life when He says "I am the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). The Word is alive in Christ! John says, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Jesus is the Word and He became man for us. He is the living Word of God.

Why should we believe all this? Well, another attribute of the Word is that it is true. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the Word is "God-breathed" and God does not lie. Proverbs 30:5 says "every Word of God proves true". Our passage says in vs 14 that He is full of grace and truth and again in vs 17, "grace and truth came through Jesus".

So the Word of God is life, life-giving, is God, and is truth. But there's more! The book of John refers to Christ and the Word as being a light, "in Him was life and the life was the light of men". It also says in verse 9, "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world." The book of John isn't the only place in scripture to call God's Word light. There are over 200 references in the Bible to light. Psalm 119:30 says, "the unfolding of Your Word gives light". And later in vs 105 it says, "Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path". Psalm 27 says "The Lord is my light and my salvation". Jesus also refers to Himself as the light of the world (John 8:12). 

Jesus was sent into the world to be life, give life and be the light. For "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Light casts out darkness. If we follow Christ we will have life and never walk in darkness (John 8:12). This is so important because it cleanses us from sin, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7 ESV). When we walk in the Light of life we cherish God's Word and His Light will shine through us. "So let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven." (Matt 5:16).


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Desiring Children Part 1

Image
Read Genesis 16, and Genesis 18:1-15 The desire for children is something many struggle with. Some struggle to get pregnant, some struggle with the loss of pregnancies, and some struggle with the lack of control over having children. These are not new difficulties but have been the struggles of many women dating all the way back to Biblical times. While I personally never struggled with getting pregnant, I wrestled with the desire for and the loss of children. I know the constant anxiety of wondering if each month was the one I'd get pregnant in; many times, I cried out to God to let me have a child to hold and keep. Nine times I prayed that God would let each child live. Nine times I was denied, and my child was called to our heavenly home. The desire for children is something most people eventually feel at some point but most take for granted that it will all go as they expect. We simply don't think of all that can go wrong, until it does. You're not alone in your strugg
Read more

Cleanse me, oh God!

Image
As a child, I often liked to play outside. Like many kids, I liked making mud pies and playing with dirt. There's several ways children will play; some get right down on their hands and knees or even sit right in the mud. They're not afraid to get dirty. Some, like me, liked to play with the mud but didn't really want to get filthy. I would crouch down and use sticks and occasionally use my hands. I wanted to have fun but didn't really want to get messy. Then, there are still other children who don't want to play with mud or have anything to do with getting dirty. But you can never truly avoid all puddles, especially when it's raining. In a way, you can compare the mud to sin. Some people wallow in their sin, loving every minute and not caring how dirty they get. Others want to have the fun and pleasure sin can bring but don't want to get too dirty. It's just a little fun. And then there are those who, by God's grace, strive to live a life apart from
Read more

Slaves and masters. A series on Ephesians Part 12 (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Image
Read Ephesians 6: 5-9 Today's text is a difficult subject. Slavery was not part of God's intended design, so why do we see it in the Bible? Paul does not condone slavery; however, because of the socioeconomic situation of the Roman occupation, it was an embedded institution. The Christians Paul wrote to were subject to Roman laws, and therefore, many Jews were either slaves or masters.  Paul wrote a lot about our attitudes and how we should live our lives in the various roles we are placed in. This is why he wrote to slaves and masters. As with so many of his instructions, Paul addresses both perspectives and points them to God. No matter your station or status in this life, we are equal, in Christ, before God. Although we do not have slavery in our society here now, we can compare this relationship to that of an employer and employee. We can look at what Paul instructs and use it in whatever our job is here and now. What, then, should we ascertain from today's passage? Thr
Read more