Jesus will make Himself known

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God." John 3:16-21

Universalists claim that there are many paths to God. In contrast, the Bible teaches that there is only one path to God and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Good News is that there are many paths to Jesus for any who are honestly seeking Spiritual truth.

"But anyone who lives by the truth, comes to the light," Jesus told Nicodemus in their now famous night-time conversation.

"I am the light of the world," Jesus said later in John 8:12.

John was writing his account of Jesus' life to the Greeks, the cultural epitome of lovers and seekers of truth. Perhaps this is why John included this encounter with Nicodemus -- himself an intellectual truth seeker -- so early in his account. John's account of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman follows in John 4 -- an example of a marginalized woman from a marginalized people group -- perhaps to underscore that Jesus came not for the select few but to ALL who will receive Him, regardless of religion, background, education, gender, national origin or people group.

This is the core of the Good News that John wanted to share with his Greek audience and that still rings true for us today: Jesus is the only path to God, but anyone from anywhere who is honestly seeking truth will find Him.

Jesus will make Himself known.

Labels: Devotionals

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Jesus will make Himself known

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God." John 3:16-21

Universalists claim that there are many paths to God. In contrast, the Bible teaches that there is only one path to God and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Good News is that there are many paths to Jesus for any who are honestly seeking Spiritual truth.

"But anyone who lives by the truth, comes to the light," Jesus told Nicodemus in their now famous night-time conversation.

"I am the light of the world," Jesus said later in John 8:12.

John was writing his account of Jesus' life to the Greeks, the cultural epitome of lovers and seekers of truth. Perhaps this is why John included this encounter with Nicodemus -- himself an intellectual truth seeker -- so early in his account. John's account of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman follows in John 4 -- an example of a marginalized woman from a marginalized people group -- perhaps to underscore that Jesus came not for the select few but to ALL who will receive Him, regardless of religion, background, education, gender, national origin or people group.

This is the core of the Good News that John wanted to share with his Greek audience and that still rings true for us today: Jesus is the only path to God, but anyone from anywhere who is honestly seeking truth will find Him.

Jesus will make Himself known.

Labels: Devotionals

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