In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14)
The Son is God.
The Son is God of God. He is the Second Person in the Three-Person Godhead. Together, with the Father and the Spirit, the Son enjoys identical glory, infinite power, and intimate communion.
The Son is the pre-existent and always eternal mind, force, power, essence, or logic of the world. Being the Logos and the Voice, he is the Creator of all that is. He is the giver of life-light. Being, living, and seeing is his business. This makes him the dominator of death and darkness. Out of nothing he brings something. Out of darkness he brings light. Out of death he brings life. Out of chaos he brings order.
The Son does the unimaginable: the Only Son of the Father, the Glorious One, he enters the world through the womb of woman and adds to himself a human flesh and heart. He seems determined to dwell among us, and why does he desire to do so?
The Son — Jesus — he is full of grace and truth, and he desired to give blessings to men, women, boys, and girls.
And yet, in his coming to Planet Earth …
The Son — Jesus — he is unrecognized, unreceived, and disbelieved by many. This is true of those in the general world. This is also true of those in the specific tribe of Israel — his own people. Rejection seems to be mankind’s default response.
And yet, despite their natural rejection …
The Son — Jesus — he is recognized, received, and believed by some. What causes these odd individuals to respond differently and properly?
- It is not their ethnic condition. Being of Jewish blood has nothing to do with their believing.
- It is not their ethical condition. It is not their free souls, free minds, or free wills that set them apart.
- It is their elect condition. They are those “given the right” by Jesus. They are those “born of God.”
The Son — Jesus — then gives these privileged souls the right to enjoy eternal life in the house of the Father. In similar manner to him, they too are children of God. Through adoption, they receive the inheritance of saints. Through adoption, they are destined to forever thrive as members of the royal house.
What does this truth do to my joy? Seeing I recognize, believe, receive, and love, it causes me to tremble with glee. This internal working of the Holy Spirit is proof of my regenerated and adopted status. I believe, therefore I am his and he is mine!
What does this doctrine do to my pride? It shatters any reason for me to gloating in my decision and position. What made David different from Saul? What made Peter different from Judas? What made Paul different from Caiaphas? What makes Joe Franks different from Joe Stalin? It has nothing to do with my heart, soul, mind, conscience, or will. It has only to do with the One who said “Way!” when I said, “No way” or “Go away.” Greater humility is that logical response to soteriological sovereignty.
What does the doctrine do to my love? Filled with greater love for him, I want to obey, please, and mature to think and live like him. Also, I want to work under him, with him, for him. I want to make his name great and smile as he uses me to share grace and truth with my neighbors. He did not come to condemn the world. He entered into this sin-soaked place in order to shower underserving friends with grace and truth. I want to be like him. I want to do the same.
What does this doctrine do to my evangelical expectations and emotions? It steadies me as I am reminded …
- Many will sadly trust their ethnic heritage.
- Many will sadly trust their ethical goodness.
- Many will sadly not recognize, receive, and believe in Jesus.
- Many will sadly not be won to Christ regardless of my efforts, strategies, skill, or compassion.
- All who are his, they will come to him — regardless of my efforts, strategies, skill, or compassion.
- All who are his, they will stay with him. He will lose none of those who are betrothed to him.
Yes, Jesus loves the world. He elects some of those he loves in the world. He then bids me herald him loudly and proudly as did his great friend John the Baptist. Yes, Jesus works with the Holy Spirit to do supernatural regenerative work.
And so, to all my friends, neighbors, and enemies who continually say, “No way,” or “Stay away” or “Go away,” I still lovingly, graciously, and truthfully implore them to believe, “Jesus Christ is the Way.” And then I trust and wait knowing that Jesus “makes a way when there seems to be no way.”
Unfathomable Grace 