“There was a man sent from God whose name was John. This man came as a witness in order to testify concerning the Light, that all men through Him might believe. He was not this Light, but was sent in order to testify concerning the Light. The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:6-9

John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness to Jesus Christ, God’s Son and the Light of the world. John was “the voice of him who cries out, ‘Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness, make straight in the desert a highway for our God’” (Isaiah 40:3).

He did not seek to gain a following for himself but called upon all people to repent of their sins and trust in the Messiah and Savior who was about to appear. And John testified of Jesus that He is God the Son and the only Hope for fallen sinners. He said of Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29; cf. 1:34,36).

As believers, we too bear witness to Jesus, the Light of the world, that all might repent of their sinful ways and place their trust in Him for forgiveness and life everlasting (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47)! We do not proclaim ourselves to be the light but Jesus, for He only is the Light and Life of men.

We of ourselves cannot forgive sins or give life everlasting, but Jesus paid in full for the sins of all when He suffered and died on the cross and rose again, and Jesus offers to all forgiveness of sins and the everlasting joys of heaven through faith in His name.

Jesus is the true Light that shines upon the people of this world. By means of His Word, He reveals the sins and shortcomings of each of us, and He offers to us forgiveness and life through faith in His name.

As believers, we reflect that Light and point others to Jesus so that they, too, might know Him and trust in Him for life and salvation.

Dear Jesus, grant that we would not proclaim ourselves to be the light and seek to gain a following for ourselves. But, rather, grant that we would proclaim You to be the Light and Life of the world, the only Savior for fallen mankind! Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.]

“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 created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

Who was already there in the very beginning when God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1)? Who was with God the Father in the beginning? and with God the Spirit as He moved upon the face of the waters (Gen. 1:2)?

Who created all things that were made? Who formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, giving man life, both physical and spiritual — making Adam a living creature who loved God, trusted in Him and served Him whole-heartedly (Gen. 2:7)?

It is the Word — God’s Son, Jesus Christ! In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, God the Son was already there! He was with God, and He was and always has been God!

Christ Jesus, before taking on human flesh, created man and all things! Without Him, nothing was created that has been created!

It is as the author of the book of Hebrews wrote: “God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world. He is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:1-3).

And St. Paul wrote to the Colossians of the Son: “He is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Col. 1:15-17).

Man’s life originated in God the Son, and this life was man’s light. But now this Light of life shines in our sin-darkened world, and man does not understand or take hold of Him in faith. How tragic!

How blinded we are by our sin not to recognize our own God and Creator come into this world a true man to redeem us and give us back the life in Him we lost by our sin and disobedience!

God would have us repent of our sinful ways and look in faith to God the Son, who created us and gave us life, and who redeemed us by giving His life in our stead to make atonement for our sins.

Dear Lord Jesus, our God and Lord, open our eyes that we may see You and the life You have won for all by Your holy life and Your innocent sufferings and death for us on the cross; and breathe into us Your Spirit that we may be made alive, enlightened, and take hold of You by faith. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.]

“Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field and he was famished. So Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me some of that red stew, for I am famished.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. Then Jacob said, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; of what use is the birthright to me?’ Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me this day.’ So he swore to him, and he sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. Then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:29-34

“Pursue peace with all men, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord, watching diligently so that no one falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness spring up to cause trouble, and many become defiled by it, lest there be any sexually immoral or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” Hebrews 12:14-17

We may consider this account insignificant but, in fact, it has a message of great significance to every Christian today.

As Isaac’s firstborn son, Esau had the birthright, a double portion of the inheritance. And, in Esau’s case, the birthright included the blessings given to Abraham and Isaac which included not only the promise of the land on which they sojourned but of the Seed through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed, the coming Messiah and Savior of the world (cf. Gen. 12:3; 22:18; 28:14).

Yet, Esau valued his birthright so little that, for a single meal when he was hungry, he sold his birthright to Jacob his brother. For one serving of food which satisfied him for only a few hours, Esau gave up blessings that extend into eternity!

The sacred text concludes the account with the words: “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” The word “despised” doesn’t necessarily mean he hated it or loathed it but that he regarded it to be of little value or worth — of less value than a hot meal when he was hungry.

As Christians — believers in the Lord Jesus Christ — we have an eternal inheritance awaiting us in heaven. It is “an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven for you” and made sure to us by the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3,4).

Jesus, Himself, told us that He is preparing a place for us to be with Him in the mansions of His Father’s house (cf. John 14:1-6). By His innocent sufferings and death, Jesus won for us and all people complete forgiveness for all sins and a place with Him in heaven. His resurrection is proof that our eternal salvation is won and that the gates of heaven are open to all who look to Christ and His cross in faith.

Yet the Scriptures also warn us of the dangers of sin and its deceitfulness when it says: “… lest there be any sexually immoral or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. For he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Heb. 12:16-17; cf. Gen. 27:30-40).

And how often it happens! Those for whom Christ died — those who have heard of His blessings of forgiveness and life everlasting and who have, for a time, even trusted in His name — for the brief and passing pleasures of sin give it all up and despise their heavenly birthright in Christ Jesus! They count Christ and the eternal salvation He won for us by His atoning sacrifice on the cross of such little value that they risk it all to indulge in their own sinful longings and desires!

Then, when Jesus returns on the Last Day to bless all who have placed their trust in Him with life eternal in the mansions of His Father’s house, they will cry, “Bless me, even me also” (Gen. 27:34).

But there will be no blessing left for them because they did not trust in Jesus or count the blessings He won for them by the shedding of His holy and precious blood of any value — they traded all for the pleasures of this world which pass away with their use. Thus, the blessings offered and promised in the Gospel will be taken from them forever!

This is a warning for us as believers not to esteem the grace of God lightly — not to risk it all or sell our birthright in Jesus Christ to enjoy the temporary pleasures of this world.

To take them for granted or to consider the blessings of the Gospel of such little value that we risk them all for the passing pleasures of this world is a grave danger to our souls. How do we know that God, who has so graciously called us to faith, will again rekindle faith in our hearts when we deny our Savior and reject the Holy Spirit’s work in us?

Christ shed His blood on the cross to redeem us. Let’s not trample His precious blood under our feet and count it as an unholy thing, lest we bring the wrath of God upon ourselves (cf. Heb. 10:29)!

And, for those many times we have not treasured the blessings of God which are ours in Christ Jesus, let’s turn to the counsel of God’s Word:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. … If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:9: 2:1,2).

“Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa. 1:18).

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for despising my birthright in You — for failing to take hold of and treasure the forgiveness and life You won for me by Your innocent sufferings and death in my stead. Graciously bless me with Your Holy Spirit and restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.]

“Be sure that you not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do your charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deeds may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:1-4

People like to be recognized for their charitable deeds. Though they may not literally sound a trumpet, people and businesses do tend to toot their own horns, so to speak, when they give a gift to the poor or to the community so that all will see their goodness and generosity. They like to be honored before men and have their acts of kindness published abroad for all to note and see.

But what does Jesus say about doing charitable deeds? “Be sure that you not do your charitable deeds before men to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do your charitable deeds, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward” (Matt. 6:1-2).

If we do charitable deeds to be seen and recognized by men, that is our only reward. Why? Because deeds done for the glory of God the Father are not motivated by the desire to glorify ourselves. Deeds done for the glory of God are motivated by love for God and the desire to please Him and do His will. They flow from faith in God’s mercy and forgiveness, faith in His acceptance of us for the sake of Christ Jesus and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross in our stead.

If we do good to be seen and glorified by men, we have our reward, but it’s not from God. If, on the other hand, we seek the glory and praise of God who created us and sent His only-begotten Son to redeem us, our works will be done for Him.

Thus Jesus says, “But when you do your charitable deeds, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deeds may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matt. 6:3-4).

Christians are not to give to be recognized by others here in this world, but for the glory of God. They do not give to gain a tax deduction or a prominent position in the church or community; they give because they love Him who first loved them and sent His Son to die for them. They do not make a show of their gifts and donations – not even letting their left hand know what the right is doing – they do their charitable deeds quietly and often anonymously, seeking no reward from men. But God the Father, who sees and knows all secrets, the Bible says, will reward them openly.

And so, we ask ourselves, “Has our giving been right? Have we given and worked to be seen and recognized by others? Or, have we given and done charitable deeds solely for the glory of God, motivated by love for Him and thankfulness for His grace and mercy toward us in Christ Jesus?”

Dear Father in heaven, forgive us for our self-centeredness and our desire to be seen and recognized for our good works. Forgive our sinful hearts and cleanse us for the sake of Christ Jesus, who loved us and willingly went to the cross to glorify Your name and accomplish our redemption. Fill our hearts with love for You and the desire to glorify Your name in all that we say and do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.]

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you remain in My word, then you are truly My disciples. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.’” John 8:31-32

Where can we find the truth? How can we know and be assured of forgiveness for all our sins and a place in God’s everlasting kingdom? Jesus answered those very questions when He said to the Jews who believed in Him: “If you remain in My word, then you are truly My disciples. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”

Like the Jews of Jesus’ day, we may not think of ourselves as slaves and servants of sin? We may not consider ourselves bound by anything because of our religious upbringing. But Jesus says otherwise. Jesus tells us that all who commit sin are the servants of sin and that the servants of sin will not abide in the house forever – only a son will abide forever (v. 24; 34-35). As Ishmael was cast out and Isaac received the inheritance, so it is only the sons of the kingdom who will receive the eternal inheritance of heaven (cf. Gen. 21 and Gal. 4).

As servants and slaves of sin – conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity (Psalm 51:5), whose hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9), and who are inclined to evil continually (Gen. 6:5; 8:21) – we cannot free ourselves or make atonement for our own wickedness (cf. Psalm 49:7-9). Only God the Son can set us free and give us a place in His eternal kingdom. And this He did when He bore the guilt and punishment of our sins, suffered and died in our stead, and then rose again on the third day (cf. John 3:14-18; Rom. 4:23-25; 1 John 2:1-2).

Jesus urges us to remain in His Word so that we might know the truth and that, through faith in the truth, He might make us free. It is in His Word that we learn the truth (cf. Rom. 10:17). His Word reveals to us our sinfulness and the hopelessness of our condition. But it also reveals to us Jesus, God’s Son, and our Savior, who fulfilled all righteousness for us and then, on the cross, paid in full the just punishment for our sins and the sins of the whole world (cf. 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Rom. 3:19-26).

Through God’s Word, we see that for Jesus’ sake, God is merciful and forgives our sins and accepts us as His own dear children when we trust in His Gospel promises and place our hope in Jesus and His cross (Eph. 1:6-7). Through the Word, God reaches out to us with love and forgiveness and offers to us sonship and a place in His eternal kingdom through faith in Christ Jesus, the Son.

When we continue in Jesus’ Word and are His disciples, the Holy Spirit, working through that Word, reveals to us Jesus – who He is and all He has done for us. The Holy Spirit gives and assures to us forgiveness, sonship, and life everlasting – of a place in heaven – all through faith in Jesus’ name. When we remain in Jesus’ Word – the Bible – the Holy Spirit reveals to us the truth about ourselves and the truth about Jesus our Savior, and that truth will set us free.

Of ourselves, we are sinners and under the judgment and wrath of God. But, through faith in Christ Jesus, we are forgiven and adopted sons of God and are free indeed!

It is as St. Paul wrote to the Galatians (Gal. 3:26-29): “You are all sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, and there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Grant, O Lord Jesus, that we might remain in Your life-giving Word, learn the truth, and be made free through faith in You as our God and Savior. We ask this for the sake of Your blood, shed on the cross for our sins. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.]