Today’d Reading : John 1:14; 3:16
Today, I asked my mother to be a guest writer and she graciously accepted. I have over the years learned so many things from her that has created the person I am today. I am happy to share her inspiration with you as well. Be Blessed
One And Only Son!
John, “the beloved disciple,” who belonged to the “inner circle” of Jesus’ followers gives an account of Jesus’ life and that it is centered on knowing God by believing in Jesus Christ.
Sunday, June 21, 2020 was recognized and celebrated as “Father’s Day” in our Western society. Fathers, grandfathers and God-fathers spent memorable time with their children and families. In many homes, there were fathers who thought about their sons and daughters—and how he could guide them, inspire them and protect them. There are many fathers who are blessed and who have been blessed to have only one child and some were blessed to have only one son. And you can only imagine the love these fathers have for their one and only son. This brings to mind, “Only Begotten Son,” and its meaning—the only offspring of its father. Only begotten describes the unique, loving relationship of the Son with the Father.
This week’s segment is on “One And Only Son” focuses on John 1:14 and John 3:16.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. –John 1:14 NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. –John 3:16 NIV
John,“the beloved disciple,” outlines and illustrates Jesus’ journey, character, teachings and miracles. God’s desire and unconditional love is that everyone would be saved. God sent Jesus in the flesh, so that man, could see and understand, be aware, be knowledgeable and saved for eternal life. Jesus identified himself with humanity by becoming flesh.
In John, chapter 3, Jesus is teaching and describing the “new birth” in order to receive the glory of God and eternal life with God. Jesus describes this “new birth” in the conversation with Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, scholar and Pharisee. Most Pharisees were intensely jealous of Jesus because he undermined their authority and challenged their views. But Nicodemus, a believer, was searching for some answers, the truth about God. Perhaps Nicodemus was afraid of what his peers, the Pharisees, would think about his visit with Jesus, so that is why he sought Jesus at night after dark. Like Nicodemus, we must seek Jesus for ourselves with an open mind and heart. Chapter 3, verse 3, Jesus states,
“I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus asked, “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can only reproduce human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from Heaven. So, don’t be surprise of my statement that you must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
Jesus explains here that we cannot control the works of the Holy Spirit. God works in ways we cannot predict or understand. We cannot control our physical birth; nor can we control the spiritual birth. It is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit.
In order to have “eternal life,” chapter 3, verse 16 states,
“…so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
To “believe” is more than an intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him that Jesus alone can save us. “Believing” is putting Christ in charge of our plans and eternal destiny. “Believing” is both trusting His words as reliable and relying on Him for the power to change. Christ is able to change those we might consider unreachable. If you have never trusted Christ, let this promise of everlasting life be yours—and believe.
As Christians, we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He came to save us; we believe that He lived among us and taught us. We believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose in the Holy Spirit. We believe our sins are forgiven, if we repent. We believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Eternal life is God’s life embodied in Christ and is given to all believers now as a guarantee that they will have eternal life. In eternal life there is no death, no sickness, no enemy, no evil or sin. As Christians, we receive this new life by faith and begin to evaluate all that happens from an eternal perspective.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for sending your “only begotten son” to save the world from sin. Lord Jesus, by faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your Words are true. Please come and remain in my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.