The Means to an End
John 1:5-7 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. There was a man having been sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
Is it not strange, God has decided to grow his kingdom through the voices of flawed believers, as in you and me. A careful reading of verse seven below sets the stage for how the darkness will be defeated by the light. Here in essence, it what is says: People will come to faith, as we declare (witness) Jesus.
John 1:7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
This is confirmed by Rom. 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
How does the gospel get out?
Rom. 10:11-17 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him, for “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” However, they did not all heed the good news, for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Here is the breakdown:
- Whoever Calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. – who needs saving? Those is the darkness
- How will they call on him in who they have not believed? – Sadly, they do not believe, how can they believe!?
- How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? – Oh! They need to hear?
- How will they hear without a preacher? – They need someone (like John or maybe you) to speak
- How will they preach unless they are sent? – Ohh we have been sent – Matt 28:16-20, Plus he makes us fishers of men (Matt 4:19)
- Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. – We must speak, we must bear witness because God has decided the means to salvation is hearing the word of Christ. It is you and I who have the word of Christ and we must give it away.
Mainly, Jesus saves by one person speaking to another person about faith in Christ. He doesn’t need us, as the scripture says he could raise up rocks to praise him. But God has decided the way for the Light to overcome the darkness is by a bunch of little lights (US) shining in the darkness showing the way to the great light, our Lord and Savior Jesus.
He has become the light of our existence and delivered us from the darkness and evil of this world. We have hope for today, we have hope for tomorrow and we have hope for eternity. We have this hope because the light of Jesus has entered our lives. When we “bear witness” some might hate you, some might mock you, some might even want you dead. However, others will hear and receive and believe.
The grand promise: John 1:5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.
The Challenge: Are we ready to be a John the Baptist and be a witness? Because this is how people believe.
Take the gift: He will make you fisher of men – Matt 4:19. Please note HE WILL. I need to know this. I need to know he will change me and empower me and make me a fisher of men. You are probably in the same (fishing) boat. But I believe He will do it. It’s a promise. So time to go fishing.