The Effective Change of Jesus

Hello TiMP Nation and Happy Birthday to my God given blessing of a Mother who celebrated her 77th on yesterday! God is truly gracious granting her 77 years of life and the majority of those spent in service and worship unto Him. This thought takes us right into part 4 of our series “The Effective Change of Jesus”. In Part 1 we covered John 1 verses 1 and 2 which speak to and confirm the deity of Jesus Christ. Then in part 2, John 1 verse 3. We see John attest to the preincarnate work of Jesus Christ. Preincarnate means Jesus existed before He was incarnate which is “in” the flesh as man. Yes, I know hard to get your mind around how that works, well that just speaks to the awesomeness of why Jesus is Lord.

Let’s make it simple to understand, remember “in” the beginning Jesus was with God and then to fulfill God’s will, He humbly came “in” the world to save/rescue us. Okay, now John 1 verses 4-5 continue this preincarnate picture of Jesus, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” Life, what a blessing it is to have one and contrary to popular belief we only get one. None of us will be coming back as a tornado or your favorite pet. However, when John was writing about Jesus in this passage, he’s not only speaking to Jesus being the creator of human life, but also of him being the only source of life eternal for mankind. He then compliments this validation that a life in Christ is the light of men.

Now why would anyone need a light? The only logical reason is, there must be darkness somewhere. So, when we look closer at what John is conveying, he’s speaking to a relationship with Christ. More specifically how this relationship will effectively breakthrough the darkness in your life. Jesus, affirms this Himself in John 8:12 and in John 14:6 “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life”. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man can come unto the Father, but by me.”

Think of it this way most of us love being out and about during the day and most things are done during the day. Why? Because we can see and being able to see reduces fear and a multitude of other things. Even those who go out at night are comfortable doing so because lights function in buildings and on the streets. Even our cars have headlights to guide us along the path we drive. Now, imagine driving or walking in complete darkness without light anywhere. Unfortunately, many people live their lives this way. This is why we have such a high rate of suicide around the world, due to spiritual and mental conditions. Too often we find people or a family member saying they are or were in a dark place after it’s too late. They become fearful of what lies ahead or overwhelmed by life’s circumstances or situations. This is a tale tell sign that a relationship with Christ was either non-existent or misunderstood which allows the darkness to prevail. However, a life with the light of Jesus Christ on the inside of you defeats darkness no matter what form or shape it tries to come in! The key is you must fully believe and understand who you are in relationship with. Then darkness can’t prevail over you because it can’t even comprehend the Light who is living on the inside! Remember, this is exactly what the disciples had to learn on the boat.

In closing our series, the solution is not ending life or taking it for granted, the solution is the effect Jesus Christ can have on it. In Jesus is Life and Light because He is the substantive moral reality of biblical truth, purity, holiness, righteousness and love. The darkness represents the sin and wrong we perpetrate before God and the broken relationship we had or still have with Him if we have not come to repentance. But you see, Jesus!, is the remedy for all that troubles you. Jesus is the guiding light for all your dark days and nights, Jesus is the only one that can remedy your relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the only one that can irrevocably change your life, because He is the only one that knows all about you from beginning to end.