The World

This morning while reading in the Gospel of John, I was once again reminded of the fact that Jesus came to die for all the world.  In John 1:29, John proclaims Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  It is interesting to note that it does not say that He came to take away the sin of Israel, God’s chosen people.  It doesn’t mention the rich, educated, poor, humble, or any other group of people as being specially elect.  It does, however, mention the world.  Jesus came to die for the world.  He came to take the sin away of every man, woman, boy, or girl upon the face of God’s creation.  The question is this, are we doing our part to share that good news with them?  Are we telling humanity that their sin debt has been settled, it’s been paid in full?  All they have to do is receive the free pardon that has been granted them.  I trust that in the days ahead we will strive to do our part to share the good news of the Gospel with those for whom Christ meant it, the world.

 

As Many As Received Him...

I have recently begun a new study in the Gospel of John and it is proving to be fascinating thus far.  I am hoping to be able to share some thoughts with you every few days from that study, things that the Lord shares with me.  This morning, as I was reading in John chapter one, I was drawn to verse 11 and the first word of verse 12.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But…  Praise God for that small word but.  You see, Christ came unto His own people first, the nation of Israel.  Those same people rejected Him.  They despised Him.  They mocked Him and cursed Him.  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.  Oh sure, some rejected Him, but not every one did.  Even though the Israelites rejected Him, I didn’t.  And because I was willing to believe upon His name and receive Him as my Saviour, to me He gave the power to become the Son of God.  Now I am part of the family of Christ.  Isn’t that thrilling.  He could have rejected everyone when His own people rejected Him, but He didn’t.  He still chose to accept those that would accept Him.

            Of course, my mind often takes things back to the people of southern Louisiana, where God has called us to go and be a witness.  I am fully aware of the fact that everyone there will not accept Christ as Saviour.  Some will receive Him not.  Oh, but there is good news for the ones who will receive Him.  For the people that will receive Christ, to them is given the power to become a child of the King.

            I found this illustration the other day.  It clearly states the importance of accepting our pardon, the pardon from the punishment of sin that Christ offers.  On May 1, 1830, George Wilson and James Porter were sentenced to a public hanging for six charges of robbing the US Mail. The justice system was much different then, and penalties were harsher. However, George Wilson had some influential friends who convinced President Andrew Jackson to give him a pardon.

 

Rather than being overjoyed, Wilson resolutely refused to accept the pardon. The case was sent to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshal and the rest of the court ruled that a pardon could not be forced on anyone, so the execution was carried out.