LEARNING DAILY

John 1:10-13, He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Many years ago, a coach working with me to lead a group of students in an organization known as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (in a public school, by the way) introduced John 1:1-18 as a part of the Christmas story. I have used some of the verses at other times during the Christmas season. I am never ceased to be amazed that “Immanuel, ‘God with us’”, “the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace” was not recognized by His chosen people when He came into the world and walked among them. The “world” today still does not recognize Jesus. The “world” refers to the “Kosmos”, the whole of society organized and operating independently of God, His word, His rule (from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible). The “world” rejects God, the Christmas story, His knowledge, His involvement in the lives of people, and His Word.

This mindset of the “world” is the exact reason for the birth of Immanuel; a person must be willing to turn away from the darkness present in the “world”. The evidence available is more than sufficient for any person to make the choice that “Immanuel is God with us”. This decision comes with the leading of the Holy Spirit on one’s life as has been previously written. Sadly, the “world” will or has not recognized the gift God gave to bring salvation. When Jesus was on earth His own people, the Jewish people, did not recognize Him because they were looking for a different type of Savior. If any people should have recognized Him the Jewish people should have seen the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the miraculous performed by Him. But, the position of Jewish leaders, their pride, and their jealousies prevented them from recognizing Him as the Messiah. Instead of being worshipped, He was despised, rejected, hated, and eventually hung on a cross by the very people He came to save.

Not much has changed since the biblical days we read about. People today who claim to be “religious”, who claim to be seeking God’s will turn away from walking the narrow road He demands His true followers to walk, to go their own way; in reality these people are walking that broad way which leads to destruction.

I like the “buts” of Scripture because it is an indication that there is an alternative, a different way than the negative. Read verse 12 again. “But many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” In my mind this verse is as powerful as John 3:16! ALL who receive the message of the gospel, the salvation God gives us through “Immanuel, God with us”, become the children of God. He sets them on a narrow way to walk into eternity in His kingdom! I looked up (in the Vines dictionary) the Greek word for “right” to try to understand this verse fully. It means authority and power. There are spiritual honors given to all Believers because they are in God’s family. Vines also noted, “Exousia first denotes freedom to act and then authority for the action”. That freedom comes through the power God gives. All Believers have God’s power and authority to act because of their faith placed in the name of Jesus Christ. No, it is not for everyone. It is only for those who have by faith placed their life in the promise of eternal life through Immanuel.

All that Immanuel endured while on earth, including His death on the cross, was to benefit those who believe in Him. The last part of verse 12 reminds us that this relationship with God is not a natural occurrence nor a matter of one’s will or a decision a person makes on their own. Being born-again or being saved is not to be a cliché or be misunderstood. It is completely the work of God and according to His will. To think that a person has anything to do with their salvation – other than accepting the free gift – is to be lost forever.

Every believer has so much to be thankful for as we celebrate the birth of “Immanuel, God with us” as we draw closer to the day we celebrate His birth. Let this season be a true celebration of His birth and what His gift of salvation, redemption, and our walk on a narrow way into His eternity means!