Day 211/260: Read John 1

Is it important how we respond to Jesus? John says that the Lord “came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

We can make the decision whether or not we will accept Jesus, but we cannot decide how we are to do it. That is God’s prerogative. He has established the method of salvation. If we reject His will, we reject Him. “The right to become children of God” is given “to those who believe in His name,” but God is the one who sets the standards of belief, not “the will of man.”

Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Those who reject Jesus’ very plain words reject Jesus Himself (John 12:48).

We cannot make up our own standard for belief and obedience. Jesus said there would be some who comes to him, calling Him “Lord,” and doing what they think are wonderful things, but Jesus says they “practice lawlessness” and they “shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21-23).

It is God’s standard, not our own, to which we must submit.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Pray

Pray for wisdom as you seek God’s revealed will in the Scriptures.