However, to all who received him, to those believing in his name, he gave authority to become God’s children, those who were born, not merely in a physical sense, or from a fleshly impulse, or from man’s desire, but of God.
John 1:12-13
At the moment it looks like I am commenting on every verse but that is because John is stacked with good stuff. Believe me I could comment in detail on each verse but I fear each Gem would grow to more than you could manage in one short reading. I will be guided by the response of my readers.
Note John’s theme word “believe”. It’s very important. Note the tense. It is continuous present tense. That’s important.
He gave us the right to be his children. We will develop what it means to believe through these Gems on the Gospel of John.
Being born into this world doesn’t do it for you. Your own impulse doesn’t cut it. Or the fact one night you had a desire to be a child of God. What makes it work is God’s desire for you. He is always and forever seeking after you. Oh yes we seek God but way before that, and during it and after it He is seeking us. And we think that one day we made a decision for God. Wrong. He gave us the desire to make a decision for Him. Nothing in this universe is apart from Him. Don’t wait for the right moment to choose Him. He is the initiator and finisher of our faith. Don’t delay when He initiates!
The only place in the universe you find atheists is on earth. God lets you deny Him your entire life, but then He’ll deny you.
Rick Warren
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.
Anon
Its faith first and last; It’s grace always and forever.
Ian Vail
Confidence is the feeling you have before you really understand the problem.
Anon
I enjoy your comment: “What makes it work is God’s desire for you.” Grateful I am for His love.
I agree John’s gospel has so much sustenance. I will keep my comments short as well.