| Study
20:
November 13th to 19th 2006
Readings from the Gospel of John
Reading
– John Chapter Ch 3:31-36.
“The
one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth
belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one
who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has
seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony—Whoever believes
in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not
see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”(John Chapter
3 verses 31 to 32 and 36(New International Version).
Our last bible study was about humility, how important it is to
have a sober assessment of ourselves and our talents and gifts.
Also, being able to praise others for their achievements. John the
Baptist was able to let others follow Jesus because he knew that
Jesus was someone greater than himself.
Humility though never compromises truth. We don’t tell lies
to be humble.
Truth is very important on the golf course and in life. Making a
correct tally of our score gives credibility to golf and ourselves.
When we play great, we can enjoy this moment of truth because it
happens rarely for most of us. When we play poorly we seek to learn
from our mistakes and look forward to the next time improving.
Truth
in regards to what we believe and follow in life and faith is remarkably
absent today. It doesn’t seem to matter what we believe as
long as it is helpful to us. This is unhelpful because it dulls
our ability to distinguish truth from error. Christianity is interested
in truth because we believe Jesus is real in the meaning and significance
we give to his life as Lord and Savior.
What makes Jesus so special? Why do people all around the world
call themselves “followers of Jesus”? The truth concerning
Jesus Christ is important for those who follow him.
Jesus says in our reading that he is above all, that he comes from
heaven and gives eternal life to all who believe in him. In contrast;
the rest of humanity is from the earth and belongs to the earth
and is restricted to the things of this world and life. Our reading
concludes with the warning that unless we change and believe in
Jesus, God’s anger and just punishment will remain on us.
I recall reading these kinds of words when I was 19 years of age
and asking myself could this be true? If it is, it is of utmost
importance. This is in contrast to what I thought earlier and what
I see in so many today that have no real interest in Jesus or the
significance of his life.
I have become convinced of the truth of Jesus through prayer, reading
the bible and opening my heart to Jesus and inviting him in. I believe
he will come to any who do the same and convince you of his truth.
Saying Jesus is the way the truth and the life to God can be interpreted
as arrogant to another who believes in something different. We seem
to becoming a society where truth is relative and everyone views
are equal, irrespective of the truthfulness of what is believed.
What
makes Jesus unique is not so much a single comparison to others,
but the sheer weight and difference in terms of the meaning of his
life and death, his authority over creation, his ethics, the hope
for the future and purpose for life. To find Jesus is to reach a
place of peace that life and truth has been discovered.
Prayer. Gracious God, your son came from above to bring new life
to the world. Help us to believe with such conviction that we will
share the truth of the good news of Jesus with the world. Amen.
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