Devotional through Bible Study - John

[seangoh]

John 1:1-5

The Word became flesh

God is the creator of all things that exist. In fact, i wouldn't be in existence if not for God who creates AND sustains me until this day. God gave me life and the light is what gives me fulfillment in this life. I refer to Psa 119:105

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

In a similar vein, the word (Bible) made flesh was Christ. And Christ acted as a lamp on earth to guide the people to a fresher and newer meaning of life. Christ pointed to the spirit of keeping the law and not just the merely the letter of the law. Christ expanded on the law as a result by saying that doing good on the Sabbath is what fulfills the 4th commandment and that hate for a brother is what breaks the 6th commandment. Indeed the letter of the law is merely a subset of the spirit of which merely fulfilling the letter is not enough.

God's Word continues to shine brightly in my life. It is a light unto my path and a guiding beacon. This light shines in darkness. It pervades the soul to reveal what's sinful. However, i pray that my darkness is not dark enough that it "comprehendeth it [the light] not". I pray that i'll appreciate this light that continues to shine in me. This ensures that the darkness is put away.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb 4:12

This light that continues to shine in me is what saves me.

 

[seangoh]

John 1:6-18

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John" v6

God uses many people to accomplish His will.

In the book, Steps to Christ, author E. G. White says:

"God might have committed the message of the gospel, and all the work of loving ministry, to the heavenly angels." He doesn't really NEED you, or me. She continues: "He might have employed other means for accomplishing His purpose. But in His infinite love He chose to make us co-workers with Himself, with Christ and the angels, that we might share the blessing, the joy, the spiritual uplifting, which results from this unselfish ministry."

John the baptist was sent by God. He probably had a good time spreading the gospel to people. However, he didn't have a good death. He was put to jail and beheaded after that. I am a christian and sometimes there are opportunities where i can have fun and share what i know. These are the times that God has given me and the talents that was bestowed upon me. All these are granted to me to make my life fulfilling on earth. John the Baptist had a bad death, but when he gets to heaven, he'll have enough reason to praise God. And when i get to heaven, i'll feel the same way too, that i was instrumental in taking care of the seeds and to see these seeds grow. Praise God for all this. What more can i do than to obey Him?

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" v11-12

POWER is the key word here. Not only does God give you the chance and the talents, but He gives you POWER to do it well. POWER is a POWERFUL word and when i find that when i obey God, i can feel that POWER in my life. The times i feel it greatly is when i have a good conversation with people when i meet them and when i feel my mind is quicker. So i believe in God, i believe in spreading the knowledge of Christianity, and there is so much fun in doing so. Why stop? Life is fun when i obey God.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. "v14

Jesus was FULL of grace and truth. No hint of unselfishness or falsity. How is that possible at all? An extremely close relationship with God and with excellent upbringing is perhaps the factors that influenced Him the most. It's a challenge for me to live in this world and to show grace to people you don't really feel comfortable talking to. It's not that i don't like anyone, but there's just some people i don't feel good talking to. Jesus pushes the limits and says, "i showed grace by dying for you, treat others nicely"..what amazing grace!
And where do i get this will to show grace? By beholding we become changed. Jesus is the center of all what a fulfilling life is about. And by looking to Him frequently, we become closer to His likeness.

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." v17

Not that Moses originated the law, but it was given by God.
Grace through faith was a means of salvation in all ages. The contrast here speaks of the perverted interpretation placed upon the revealed grace and truth of God by the official exponents of the law, the rabbis (cf. Rom. 6:14, 15; Gal. 5:4), and the truth as revealed through Jesus Christ.

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. "v18

No sinner can see God face to face and live. Not even Moses was allowed to see God face to face. This reminds me of Joseph Smith's vision about the Father and the Son that he had in the forest. Anyway, i wish Jesus will come soon and i'll be in heaven having the time of my life with God there.

 

[seangoh]

John 1:19-34


John was right in saying that he was not the Christ. He also mentioned that he couldn't even be compared to Christ. Similarly, we cannot even be compared to Christ's character. As i was walking to a friend's house today, i was thinking, if Jesus was only 12 when he had so much wisdom as he discussed the bible with the leaders of that day, then me being twice that age is not even half as wise as him. To bring it further, Jesus was perfect and sinless. It's not possible to be half the man he was. because half of perfect is perfect. Over here, John was pointing forward to the man whose life is worth living for. The man whom John and his contemporaries were priviledged to see. However, it is not of less advantageous now that we don't see him face to face, for Jesus said that "‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” " John 20:29.

Indeed we are more blessed when we believe as we live in this generation.