Light

3. John 1:6-13

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John has often been said to be the last of the Old Testament prophets. His prophetic burden was to bear witness to the light, not to be the light. The light which was the light of humanity was coming into the world that was made through Him—yet did not know him.

The light was too bright for “his own”. Blinded, they turned away. Light reveals much that may be offensive. Closing our eyes to it does not make what offends go away. The truth remains.

But some received Christ, who believed not only in His presence and what they saw with their eyes but “in his name”—his reputation and character, that He was the Son of God—and they also became sons and daughters of God. They were born of God. This was something only God could do.

“Nor of the will of man.” It rattles us to the core that spiritual birth is not by our will or “decision”. Yes, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:17) While we come to God for salvation, it is not the “will of man” that results in the new birth. The key, perhaps is found in James 4:5,6: “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (NKJV) The living spirit God put in each human being yearns jealously both to find and to resist salvation. Only by humble submission to the sovereignty of God do we receive grace and spiritual rebirth. It is not will, but rather surrender that brings us to say, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Surrender may be seen as a choice of the will, yet it is not the act of will, but the surrender of the will. Humility says “I receive this”, not “I take this”.

Father, may I humbly receive the gift of life. The spirit of life that You placed in me yearns jealously, which causes me both to draw near and to shrink back from the light. I desire the water of life that You give without price. Let me humbly receive You and surrender fully to Your Spirit.