In the Beginning was the Word

John 1:1-5

John introduces us to the Lord Jesus Christ by describing Him as the Word: “In the beginning was the Word”.

This title is given to Jesus because God the Father reveals Himself through Christ and speaks through Him.

John leaves us in no doubt concerning the identity of the Lord Jesus: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God”

Christ was with God before the universe was made and He has always been with God because He is God.

These verses not only inform us that the Lord Jesus is God, but also that He made all things: “All things were made through Him”.

Creation is the work of the Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This world did not come into existence by accident! Human life did not evolve from simple, primitive cells over millions of years. Our great Savior created the whole universe and all life in it.

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men”.

The Lord Jesus is also the Giver of life. He brings light to men who are in darkness because of sin. He gives them spiritual Life. He gives them spiritual light or understanding. Jesus is the Life who alone gives spiritual life. He is the Light who gives spiritual understanding. There is no way of salvation from our sin except through trusting in Him.

“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

The darkness of this world cannot defeat the Light of Christ. He is altogether wonderful and glorious.

Let us now worship our great Savior and bring to Him our grateful praises!

The Light Was Good

"God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness."
- Genesis 1:4 -

"Let there be light."

Light is good. 

We who enjoy it should be more grateful.

We should see more of God in it and by it.

Light is sweet.

But the gospel light is infinitely more precious.

Gospel light reveals eternal things, and ministers to our immortal natures.

When the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual light, He opens our eyes to behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We behold sin in its true colors, and ourselves in our real position.

We see the Most Holy God as He reveals Himself, the plan of mercy as He propounds it, and the world to come as the Word describes it.

Spiritual light has many beams and prismatic colors.

It brings knowledge, joy, holiness, or life, all are divinely good.

May the Lord God give us more of light, and more of Himself, the true light.

Light and darkness have no communion.

God has divided them.

The Sons of light must not have fellowship with deeds, doctrines, or deceits of darkness.

The Children of the day must be sober, honest, and bold in their Lord's work, leaving the works of darkness to those who shall dwell in it forever.

The Churches should by discipline divide the light from the darkness.

In judgment, in action, in hearing, in teaching, in association, we must discern between the precious and the vile.

We should maintain the great distinction which the Lord made upon the world's first day.

May the Lord God be our light throughout our whole life.

The Promised Rest

"The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan."
- Joshua 5:12 -

Israel's weary wanderings were all over.

The promised rest was attained.

No more moving tents, fiery serpents, fierce Amalekites, and howling wildernesses.

They had come to the land which flowed with milk and honey, and they ate the old corn of the land.

Joyful is the prospect.

To be with the Lord Jesus in the rest is a cheering hope indeed.

Let us banish every fearful thought.

Let us rejoice with exceeding great joy.

We shall be forever with the Lord.

Let us feed on Jesus, and eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan.

The Last Adam

So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. - 1 Corinthians 15:45 -

Adam is the covenant head and representative of the human race under the law of work.

Under the law of grace, every redeemed soul is one with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the last Adam.

He is the Substitute of the elect in the new covenant of love.

Whatever Jesus had done, He had done it for the whole body of His Church.

We were crucified in Him and buried with Him (Col. 2:10-13).

We are risen with Him and ascended with Him to the seats on high (Eph. 2:6).

The Church has thus fulfilled the law.

The Church is thus accepted in the beloved.

The Church is regarded with complacency by the just Jehovah.

He views her in Jesus, and does not look upon her as separate from her covenant head.

As the Anointed Redeemer of Israel, Jesus has nothing distinct from His Church.

All that He has, He holds for her.

All that He is or does, is ours as well as His.

Here is the foundation of the covenant of grace.

This gracious system of representation and substitution is the very groundwork of the gospel of our salvation.

And we are to receive it with strong faith and rapturous joy.

God Keeps His Promises

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Isaiah 41:10 -

God is able to do all things.

We never need to fear.

The strength of man shall never be able to overcome the power of God.

We have enough reason to abide firm in our faith.

God has promised to supply us with daily strength.

He will fulfill His promises.

God shall never grow weary.

He will support His children.

He will never fail us.

He has put His promise on record.

Let us doubt no longer.

He is our God and our strength,