Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

The development of the self is a paradox that faces every Christian believer and it is one of the most important things for any individual to do. Although we recognise that, we are individuals, we are also part of a greater body, the body of Christ. In his gospel, John made some astonishing claims and observations. Although many of the themes and motifs are highlighted by other authors in the bible consider the following:

In his opening remarks, he tells his readers in no uncertain terms that the God he is talking about is an everlasting God whose existence is eternal, as the Father, Son and Spirit (vv. 1-4). This statement tells us that this triune God was active in the creation narrative and is revealed to us now so that we can have a personal relationship with him.

The second theme he introduces us to is that of the incarnation (vv. 10-14). God becoming like us so that he can expunge from us the thing that caused the separation way back in Eden, namely sin. The next theme he addresses is that of the potency of the prophetic word (v.15, 19). Here John is the prophet speaking as enabled by the Holy Spirit of things that he did not see until revealed by God.  He reminds us that the period of law written on tablet of stones was over and the era of grace and truth was being ushered in (v.17).

However, although we are n Christ, that is, we are ‘saved’ by grave by putting our faith totally in the anointed one, Jesus.  We still need to be delivered from our past and the issues that keeps us in bondage and stops us developing beyond salvation. Read St John 1:1-34.