John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Three things stand out to me in these few verses: 1) God's Word is eternal, 2) Jesus has existed since the beginning of time, 3) Everything I have belongs to God.
It's simply amazing to know that what we believe in, as Christians, and the foundation we base our lives upon are of eternal truths and principles. The God that created us has had a plan of action from the first word in the bible. Nothing has been a surprise to God and He hasn't had to change a word in the Word. We have a precise and perfect God given book that describes how to live on earth and how to receive His eternal gift of salvation. "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him" (Proverbs 30:5). The Word is eternal because God's promises are completed here on earth and they will be carried out when we reach heaven.
I was thinking today on my planning period, "How did people receive salvation and receive eternal life in heaven or hell before the life and death of Jesus Christ?". First of all, John 1:2 explains the foundation of this understand. In the New Living Translation the verse says, "He existed in the beginning with God". This means that even though Christ had a human body made of flesh and blood, he was with God since the beginning of everything. God promised everyone that He would deliver His son to the earth and provide a sacrifice for the sins of the entire human race. Revelation 13:8 explains that "All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world." So the sacrifice was made as a promise from creation, but God sent His son to carry out the physical and spiritual promise of sacrifice through Christ. Those who placed faith in this promise and live according to God's word were judged differently than those who were against God.
Since the creation of the world, God has depended on us, His children to portray His truths and love to the rest of the world. We have a responsibility to be the light in the darkness (as I posted about in January). That is not always easy when the temptations of the world are creeping up on us and trying to pull us down. The darkness does not understand the light. That phrase isn't very motivating to take the Word to non-believers. Faith in Christ is stronger than any other thing you can think of putting your faith in. God created each of us for a purpose.
God has blessed me with so much. I am sure you could say the same thing. A man I admire for his outlook, beliefs, and strong faith is our pastor. He was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and since then He has been such an amazing example to those who are struggling with physical ailments and spiritual problems. Through Christ, all things are made perfect. God's plan may include being diagnosed with cancer or being in a bad car accident. Do we really have the right to even begin to think about blaming God? No way! Think about every good gift that God has given you. If you can read this, consider yourself blessed. The small gifts like being able to breathe, walk, smell, taste, and think are blessing that God has given us. Not one person can justly blame God for a bad circumstance. Easier said than done though, right?
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
I did not create myself. My parents did not create me. My parents did not create themselves. We trace it back to Adam and Eve and we find that God made them. The tree in your yard was not made by a human. Perspectives change in different situations, but this is one that we must understand clearly. Our lives are a gift from God. We have no right to end it on our own terms, nor do we assume we are in control. This is why strong faith is so important in crucial moments in life.
God loves His creation.
God is hurt by the perverse modifications man has made to His creation.
God doesn't break promises.
God is true.
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