John 1:6-13

John 1:6-13

A man came, he had been sent from God, and his name was John.  He came into a testimony in order that he should testify about the light in order that all should believe through him.  That one was not the light, but in order that he should testify regarding the light.  The true light, which gives light to all mankind, was coming into the world.  It was in the world, and the world became through it, and the world did not know it.  It came into its own, and its own did not receive it.  And as many as did receive it, He gave to them the authority to become children of God – to the ones who believe into His name, who are neither out of blood nor out of a will of the flesh nor out of a will of a man but they were born out of God.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In John we see the first prototype of the Gospel.  John came having been sent by God.  He came so that he should testify about what God was doing in the world.  He came so that people would believe through his testimony.  They would be saved by Christ, but it would be through his testimony that people would believe.  So it is with us.  The world is still saved by Christ.  But the world comes to believe through our testimony.  There is no higher calling than being a testimony to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Are you a person who gives testimony to the world about what God is doing?  Who listens to your testimony?

Second Thought:

The world did not know Christ.  The world still does not know Christ.  Little has changed in the world in a few thousand years.  The world continues to search for its own passions rather than looking to God.  Rather than receive the truth about how we can only be complete in God, the world searches for completion in other things.

With what does the world tempt you?  When is it difficult for you to remember that your joy is found in God and not in the things of this world?

Third Thought:

There were some who did receive God’s Word.  What’s interesting is that the Bible tells us what defines the family of God.  True family is not blood related.  True family is not those who share the same worldly passion, hobbies, or interests.  True family is not those who follow the same people.  True family is those who are born out of God.  True family is those who consider God their Father and who pursue their identity in Him.

Who are your spiritual family?  Who are the people around you who pursue an identity from God?  What identity has the Father given to you?

Passage for Tomorrow: John 1:14-18