April 4, 2011 by memullin
John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John uses the contrast of light and darkness is several places in his gospel. In John 3:16. he writes, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
The condemnation is already upon those who love darkness. The reality is that those who love and practice evil don’t want light to expose them or their deeds. They prefer to hide in darkness. But from whom do they hide? From the God who created them. It has been so from the beginning. If we go back to Genesis 3:8, we read: “And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 ¶ Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” You know the rest of the story, but the point here is that those who violate God’s rules, seek to hide from God. It is this desire to hide from God that makes darkness their friend. They hate the light. It reminds them of the God they have rejected.
The good news is that just like Adam and Eve, God seeks after those who live in darkness. He would that none would perish. It is from darkness that many of us were plucked. As children of God, we bring His light into dark places. The light in us will dispel the darkness around us. That is why Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Posted in Bible, Bible Study, Books of the Bible, Gospels, John, Light, New Testament | Tagged darkness, Gospel of John, John, John 3:16, Light |
April 2, 2011 by memullin
John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The Amplified version gives some additional insight: And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it.]
The darkness has never overpowered or put out the Light although the Light does shine into the darkness, and the darkness does not receive the Light. The picture of what happens when light encounters darkness is so much a part of our daily life, that we probably don’t consider it very often. A room is dark, and then a switch is flipped and light floods the room chasing out the darkness. Where does the darkness go? Away from the light. Darkness and light cannot co-exist. It is a physical principle as well as a spiritual one.
In the Spiritual realm, much like the physical, when Light enters a person’s life by the power of the Holy Spirit, darkness can no longer dwell in that life.
The Light will always over power the darkness. Hallelujah!
Posted in Bible, Bible Study, Books of the Bible, John, Light, New Testament | Tagged darkness, God, Gospel of John, John, Light |
April 1, 2011 by memullin
The Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer, was a great read. In it, Tozer, who lived from 1897 to 1963 and “was a popular evangelical author and Christian mystic” according to the book jacket, discusses in detail with great clarity and illustration, the attributes of God such as God’s immutability, His omnipotence, His mercy, His grace, and of course, His love. Some 20+ attributes of God are described. I read it as a devotional, taking a chapter each day. The chapters are short and easy to read in one sitting. I recommend this for those looking to better understand God, His character and His attributes.
ISBN: 978-0-06-068412-9
Posted in A.W. Tozer, The Book Lady, The Book Lady's Favorites | Tagged A.W. Tozer, Book Review, The Book Lady, The Knowledge of the Holy |
March 31, 2011 by memullin
I love this quote by John Calvin, great theologian and church father in the 1500s:
“Believers do not pray with the view to informing God about things unknown to him, or of exciting him to do his duty, or of urging him as though he were reluctant. On the contrary, they pray in order that they may arouse themselves to seek him, that they may exercise their faith in meditating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties by pouring them into his bosom; in a word that they may declare that from him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for others, all good things.”
Posted in Crying out to God, John Calvin, Prayer, Relationship with God | Tagged John Calvin, John Calvin on Prayer, Prayer |
March 27, 2011 by memullin
I am so excited to recommend a book that I just finished. The book is called Mimosa and it was written by Amy Carmichael. It is a fast and easy read. The book is described as a true story. It is an amazing story of a young girl who, based on one very brief exposure to the God of the Bible, lived a life of suffering and trials for her faith. It is hard to do the story justice. The take away from the story is that the Spirit of God meets each believer wherever he or she is. Even if there is no church, even if there is no Bible, even if a person is illiterate, God will by His Spirit, teach, lead, guide, comfort and encourage the believer. This is, of course, not the only such story, but it is a good reminder of just how intimate of a God we serve. He is never far from us, and He hears us when we cry out to Him. We need only to remember to wait on Him and trust in His faithfulness and goodness.
The ISBN for the copy I have is 978-0-87508-821-1.
You really can’t go wrong with any of Amy Carmichael’s books.
Posted in Amy Carmichael, Biographies, The Book Lady, The Book Lady's Favorites, Walking with God | Tagged Amy Carmichael, Book reviews, Mimosa, The Book Lady |
March 26, 2011 by memullin
In our last post, we considered John 1:4 which says: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Later in the John’s gospel, in Chapter 12, he records Jesus saying, ” I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” For the believer, Jesus is promising an end to living (abiding) in darkness.
Ephesians 5:8 and 11 says: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. . . 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
What changes about light and darkness for the follower of Christ?
The believer doesn’t become a light, but rather the light in the believer’s life comes from God, from Jesus dwelling within Him. We are vessels for the light. Galatians tell us, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20).
By the Spirit of God dwelling in the believer, he or she becomes a light. Jesus also said we should let our light shine, let others see the light that is in us. It is not meant to be hidden.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine.
Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!
Posted in Attributes, Bible, Bible Study, God, John, Light, New Testament | Tagged Bible, Gospel, John, Light, New Testament |
March 25, 2011 by memullin
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
This verse is speaking of Jesus, but light and life are possessed by all three persons of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), and light and life are also possessed by those who respond to the gospel message.
Life (2 aspects)
- Physical Life – Jesus was present at creation, with the Father. The name of God in Genesis 1:1 is “Elohim”. It is plural early proof of a triune God.
- Spiritual and Eternal life – Jesus promises these to those who believe on Him in faith. John 3:16 is one of the most well-known reminders of this promise. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
Light
Here are just a few of the references to Jesus and light:
- Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12
- Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. John 12:35
- I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46 (Jesus speaking)
- This is the message which we have heard from [Jesus] and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
The Bible, of course, has many references to God or the Word of God as a light for the believer:
- [God’s] word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
- The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
- For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28
- The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. Isaiah 60:19
- For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. . . 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:8
- There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5
Posted in Attributes, Bible, God, John, Light, New Testament | Tagged Bible, Gospel of John, Gospels, Jesus is life, Jesus is light, New Testament |
March 12, 2011 by memullin
He was in the beginning with God.
- Why does God repeat Himself here? – For emphasis, to make sure we get it. As a mother, I am prone to repeat the things that I fear may result in injury or trouble for my child if she forgets them. So it is with God. He knows that we have this propensity to want to deny Him, His role in creation, Him as the point of origin for our lives, our very breath. To help us get it, He repeats Himself.
- What does this verse tell us about the relationship between Jesus and God? – It tells us that they are co-equals. Jesus was not created. He pre-existed creation as God, the Father, did.
- What did Jesus say about this? – “O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” (John 17:5)
- Why is this important? – Most cults include as part of their teaching that Jesus was not a co-equal with God, that He is something less than God. This is a heresy. Knowing what God has said in His word will allow us to answer those who lie about the deity of Christ.
Posted in Bible, Gospels, Jesus, John, New Testament | Tagged Bible, God, Gospel of John, Jesus, John 1, New Testament |
March 11, 2011 by memullin
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- When is the “beginning?” – Was it creation? Was it the “bang?” Was it you in the goo? It doesn’t matter where you place the time marker, God was there. He was in the beginning.
- Who is the Word? – JESUS! We know this because of Rev. 19:11-13. It would be entirely within the meaning of this verse to read it as follows: “In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God.” Jesus = God. The ‘Word” or “logos” is a name given to God, to Jesus the 3rd person of the Godhead.
- Why is this important? – As we discussed in the last post, one of the main purposes that John has in his gospel is to establish the deity of Christ. If Jesus Christ was not God, then He has no power to save or redeem. If, however, He was God, as He claimed with words and proclaimed through His actions, then every man and woman must choose whom they will serve, the gods/idols of this age or the one true and living God who came, suffered bearing the sin of the whole world, died, was buried in a tomb and on the third day, rose again (the tomb is still empty today).
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.
—- Moses (Deut. 30:19-20)
Posted in Bible, God, Gospels, Jesus, John, Names of God, New Testament, the Word | Tagged Deuteronomy 30, Gospel of John, Jesus, John 1, Logos |
March 10, 2011 by memullin
The gospel of John represents one piece in a four-part testimony of the life of Jesus. This is important because the Bible requires that there be two witnesses to establish a fact. The use of four gospels each based on testimony of eye witnesses makes the totality of the gospels very credible. The fact that each of the gospels is not identical to the others adds to the overall credibility.
If one were to interview four eye-witnesses to any event in history, each of them would emphasize different facts and provide a different presentation of the information depending on their audience. That is exactly what we find in the gospels – four unique but internally consistent testimonies of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, a real man who lived a real life in Israel.
Looking at all four gospels, we see that each is addressed to a different audience, for example, the Gospel of Mark is written with a gentile (primarily Roman) audience in mind. Little detail of Jewish history or culture is included.
The Gospel of Matthew is written to the Jewish reader. Matthew starts off with a very detailed genealogy of Jesus and emphasizes Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
The Gospel of Luke was written to a gentile audience. In as much as Luke was a physician and educated in Greek, he writes a more detailed, carefully researched gospel focused on Jesus as the Son of Man a Savior sent to save the lost sinner.
The Gospel of John was written with a strong emphasis on the deity of Jesus Christ. John wrote to encouraged believers and to call unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ
Posted in Bible, God, Gospels, Jesus, John, Knowing God, Luke, Mark, Matthew, New Testament | Tagged Bible, God, Gospels, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, New Testament |
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