Power – the possession of control or command over others(dictionary.com). Power can obviously be used in different ways – for the good of human kind or for evil. When I think of the word, “power” I think about our president of the United States, our government system, teachers, and city officials. They have the power to decide what is right and what is wrong. They also have the power as to how one might be punished for breaking the law. However, for Christians, we know that God holds the power over the world, all who are in the world, and for Creation.
In John 1:1-18is the story of the Incarnate Word. Jesus is the Incarnate Word, meaning that Jesus is God embodied in the flesh – a human body. In other words, God has spoken to us in the most human way possible, giving us his innermost thoughts and heart. I probably have read this text a hundred times, but as I read it again today, I saw something I had never noticed before. Jesus is in the world…”But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power (NRSV)to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13).
Did you know that you have that kind of power? It is the kind of power giving you the ability to receive the promised gift of eternal life! You have the powerand the privilege of becoming the very children of God! This is the promise of the Gospel! As a Child of God, you are a member of the beloved family of our Great God! For me, this is an unspeakable and unbelievable privilege. I have done so little, but yet the Incarnate Word did everything so that this is an option for me – to simple believe and receive Him. For Christ – the Incarnate Word, took my sin, was separated from His Father, and died a death that you and I will never have to experience.
You see, because of the Incarnate Word, you have received, grace upon grace (John 1:17), not deserving of any of it, but yet God grants you and credits you perfect righteousness and holiness. You did not fulfill the commandments – Jesus Christ did on the cross on your behalf. Through this sheer divine gift, God will work everything else out for the rest of your life!
I opt for God to control my life, dream my dreams for me, and accept the privilege as a child of God. This is unspeakable and unbelievable! But yet, so exciting!
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