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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
Last weekend, I attended a writing conference at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, about 35 miles from where we live. One of the keynote speakers, Bob Hostetler, spoke on “What If John Had Not Written?” When I arrived home, I rested, got caught up on what happened while I was away. Went to bed early because I was exhausted. Sunday morning, I stayed home and rested. I decided to read the Gospel of John as a carry-over from the conference. I saw things differently than I had seen them before. What follows is a reflection on John 1:1-12.
“In the Beginning, the Word with God, was God.”
John reminds us of God’s presence at the creation of the earth. He tells us that God’s message was also there. Also, that His messenger is God. (V. V.1-2) John continues to extol God as the maker of all things. He states that nothing has been or ever will be made without God and his stamp of approval. (Verse 3) We need to reread the Creation Story in Genesis to fully understand what occurred at that time.
“The Light that Shines in Darkness”
John gives praise that God’s Son is the light that shines in the darkness. And that the darkness has not overcome the true light. (Verse 5) (I believe the darkness will never blot out Jesus’ light.)
“A Witness to the Light”
The Apostle John speaks of John the Baptist. The people asked baptizer John if he was the One for whom they had been waiting. He told them no he wasn’t. The one they waited for was so great that John could not even tie His shoe. His role was to tell others about the coming Messiah. (V.V:7-8) John’s message was simple; he told the people to “Repent.”
“God’s Son Was Rejected by His Own”
Yes, the Messiah was entering the world. Although He was in the world and He had made the world, those of this world did not know Him. His people did not receive Him. (They even crucified Him.) (V.V:9-11) The Pharisees and Sadducees and the priests were jealous of Jesus and chose to incite the Jewish people into a frenzy that paved the way for the Crucifixion of Christ.
“God Granted Us the Right of Being His Child”
To those who accepted Him as the Son of God, the Messiah freely gave the right to become His children. All we have to do is ask Jesus to come into our hearts. This right the Savior bestowed was and still is in accordance with the Will of God. (V:12)
As God’s children we should never take anything for granted. We should pray to have God’s eyes as we look at our world.
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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