" The WORD Made Known "

John 1:1-18   "In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. The same was in the beginning with GOD. ALL things were made by HIM; and without HIM was not any thing made that was made. In HIM was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

There was a man sent from GOD, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the LIGHT, that all men through him might believe. He was not that LIGHT, but was sent to bear witness of the LIGHT. That was the true LIGHT, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. HE was in the world, and the world was made by HIM, and the world knew HIM not. HE came unto HIS own, and HIS own received HIM not. But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD.

And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of HIM, and cried, saying, This was HE of WHOM I spake, HE that cometh after me is preferred before me: for HE was before me. And of HIS fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST. No man hath seen GOD at any time; the only begotten SON, which is in the bosom of the FATHER, HE hath declared (shown) HIM."

     We hear much talk today concerning how all the major religions of the world share many similar beliefs and characteristics and are, in essence, variations of the same theme. Millions of people actually believe this to be true. The popular "politically correct" and "religiously correct" position is this: Truth exists in all religions, and we only need to recognize these verities and focus on the common truths and similarities in all religions in order to dialogue, come together, and become truly spiritual and "tolerant" as we embrace a pluralistic, global society of tolerance and acceptance. Yet the premise that ALL religions are essentially identical is entirely false.

     In its simplest form, two facets or characteristics of biblical Christianity set it apart from every other world religion. 1. Salvation is by grace through faith alone (as opposed to salvation/eternal life/reward attained through some effort or merit of the individual). 2. Man has the ability to personally know GOD and have a relationship with HIM (as opposed to GOD being too transcendent or only a state of mind or whatever we make Him to be). GOD's WORD tells us that Salvation comes to those who believe (v.12) - not to those who work; and, the Bible also tells us that GOD is a personal BEING WHO came to earth to dwell among men (V.14). This is not the religion of the Muslim, the Budhist, or the Hindu, nor is it the religion of the cults, Catholicism, or the Liberal Protestant. Biblical Christianity is narrow and exclusive, yet it is truth and life. Today's text highlights the glorious reality concerning what sets biblical Christianity apart from every other religion. Thank GOD for HIS infinite grace and HIS desire to fellowship with us ! MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used  with  permission.    www.feasite.org